Fire Safety Tips for Christmas & the Holidays

The Christmas and holiday season is generally associated with peace, goodwill, and good times with family and friends. Unfortunately, Christmas & the holidays are also a time in which there are increased risks of fire hazards. On the average, fires during the holidays injure more than 2,500 people and create nearly $1 billion in damage in the United States. Fortunately, there are some basic fire safety tips for Christmas & the holidays that can help keep you and your family safe during this time.

One of the biggest fire risks during the holidays is the risk involved when using a live Christmas tree. When using a live tree, it is important to take certain precautions. You should try to purchase a fresh tree. A fresh tree is one in which the needles are green and difficult to pull back from the branches. The needles should also not break easily. The trunk will be sticky. If you bounce a tree on the ground and a large number of needles fall off, the tree is probably too old to safely use. You should also make sure to place your tree away from heat sources, such as fireplaces or heating vents. You should always keep your tree stand full of water, and should not leave the tree up for more than two weeks.

Christmas or holiday lights are another fire risk. You should make sure that your lights don’t have wires that are frayed, broken or cracked light sockets, or large amounts of wear or kinking. You should also not overload your electrical outlets, and try to keep three or less strands of lights to each socket. You should also not leave your Christmas lights unattended.

Some other basic fire tips for Christmas and the holidays include:

- Try to use only decorations that are not flammable

- Keep decorations away from heating vents.

- If you have an artificial Christmas tree, make sure it is also flame retardant.

- If possible, avoid using lit candles. If you do use them, make sure they are in holders that are stable and cannot easily be knocked over.

- Don’t go near a Christmas tree with an open flame of any sort.

- Make sure that your smoke alarms are installed and have fresh batteries.

Posted in Christmas, Holidays