Christmas time is here! Check out these safety tips and checklist from Electrical Safety Foundation International and remember to keep you and your loved ones safe this holiday season!
We all know how hectic the Christmas season can be. With all the gifts, baking, decorating, and family trips, the 12 days of Christmas seems more like 12 minutes.. But with all of the craziness the holidays bring, fire safety and prevention cannot be ignored. Follow these tips to make sure your family is safe throughout the holidays!
Water your tree. The air in your home is dry, especially when the heat is on. Watering your tree daily will significantly reduce the chances it could catch fire, and also will keep your home smelling like fresh pine!
- Designate someone in the house who will be in charge of watering the tree daily.
- Whoever is the last to go to bed should make sure all lights and electronics around the tree are turned OFF.
- Heat will dry your tree out fast. Avoid setting your tree near heat sources in your home (space heaters, registers, fireplaces, stoves, etc.).
- Avoid lighting candles near your tree.
From the National Fire Protection Agency..
- Christmas trees account for an estimated 230 home fires per year.
- 50% of these fires fall between Dec.22 - Jan. 5.
- Decorative lights are the cause of an average of 160 home fires.
- Combined, these fires are responsible for an average of 13 deaths and $26.3 million in damage every year.
The key to fire safety is prevention. While we cannot totally eliminate the threat of a home fire, we can significantly reduce the risk of one by following these tips, provided by ESFI.
The holidays are a time for family and celebration. Please, everyone be safe when decorating this season.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
