Many of the activities that you engage in during the holidays — decorating your house, cooking special meals, and entertaining family and friends — pose a fire risk. In fact, most household fires and property losses occur during the holiday season. The good news is you can increase holiday safety by knowing the potential hazards and making a few adjustments.
Christmas Trees
More than 200 home fires begin with Christmas trees annually. Using flame-retardant artificial trees significantly reduces the risk of fire. If you prefer a real tree, make sure you choose the freshest one and water it regularly. It's nearly impossible for a well-watered tree to ignite. Also, place it away from any heat sources such as a furnace, radiator, or space heater.
Candles
Predictably, the peak month for candle fires is December. Consider using flameless LED candles. If you must use traditional candles, don't place them on your Christmas tree. Keep lit candles at least a foot away from items that can burn. Set them on sturdy bases out of the reach of pets and children. Remember to snuff them out before retiring to bed.
Decorative Lights
Broken sockets, exposed wires, and shattered bulbs can spark a fire. Be sure to inspect your decorative lights carefully and replace any that are showing signs of wear or damage. Don't combine four or more lights on a single string.
Cooking
Cooking is a leading cause of holiday home fires. Take care not to leave any cooking food unattended. Store utensils, towels, food containers, and other combustible items away from your stove.
Fireplace
Soot can form flammable creosote on your chimney walls, so have your fireplace maintained professionally once a year. Don't leave a fire burning unattended and use a secure glass or metal screen to contain embers and sparks.
Take a moment to ensure you follow the necessary steps toward holiday safety so you and your family can enjoy the festivities to the fullest. For more home comfort tips, contact us at Air Assurance. We proudly serve Broken Arrow homeowners with superior HVAC products and dependable services.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273.