Christmas season is here! Bring out the lights, fire up the fire place, turn up the oven, and prepare the fire extinguisher! That’s right folks. Even if it’s freezing cold outside, fire is still a real hazard during Christmas season. Many of you will be putting up decorative lights that stay on for hours on end. Not to mention, these electrical thingamajigs have the potential to overheat or short circuit, which may lead to a fiery spectacle no one really wants for Christmas. For a fire-free Christmas, check out the safety tips below.
Christmas Lights
According to the United States Fire Administration, around 25 percent of Christmas tree fires were due to electrical issues. Heading the way are Christmas lights. You should take a good look at these two if you wish for a fire-free Christmas.
Make sure you use lights that are certified safe by legitimate product safety certification groups such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and the CSA Group. There should also be a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) on the outdoor receptacles. A GFCI shuts off the electric current once it detects an unbalance such as the presence of water. If it rains, for example, the GFCI will shut off, preventing the possibility of electric shock.
If you’re using lights from previous Christmases, always examine before plugging them in. Look for cracks or frays along the wires. Be wary of broken sockets, as well.
Use outdoor lights for your outdoor display and indoor lights in your home. You’ll likely use an extension cord for your light displays. Make sure to use indoor and outdoor ones appropriately.
Extension cords and circuits should never be overloaded. These are two of the most common causes of fires in homes and other structures. If you’re plugging in a number of strands, use a strip adapter that has a circuit interrupter, as mentioned above. Also, if you want a fire-free Christmas, never put an extension cord under a rug, especially where foot traffic is high.
You’ll likely use more than one strand of lights, especially if you plan on covering the whole facade of your house. Link up to three strands only. More than three is not safe. To be sure, read the instructions provided by the manufacturer with regards to connecting strings.
Finally, don’t leave the lights on and plugged in for too long. If you are leaving the house or going to sleep, turn the lights off and unplug.
Holiday Candles
The U.S. Fire Administration stated that in two out of five home decoration structure fires, candles are to blame. Another startling statistic says the highest number of fires caused by candles happen on Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Christmas Eve.
If you’re using candles, make sure you place them somewhere far from anything that can catch fire easily. Curtains, a pile of newspapers, wrapped gifts, and the Christmas tree are just a few examples of flammable stuff in your home. Make sure to put the flames out before going to bed.
A better alternative that would help ensure a fire-free Christmas is to use fake candles instead. Flame-less LED candles last long and can be left on far longer than actual candles. Of course, you still have to turn them off if you’re heading to bed or going somewhere.
Christmas Tree
Christmas trees have become notorious for being fire hazards, especially if you consider that someone has died in an average of 32 cases of Christmas tree fires each year. That’s definitely not how you want to spend the holidays.
While looking for a tree for Christmas, choose the freshest one you can find. These are the green ones with needles that aren’t easy to pull out. A dry tree can catch fire easily compared to a fresh one.
To keep your tree from drying fast, open the pores that have been clogged by sap. Do this by cutting a couple of inches along the trunk diagonally. Place the tree in a stand filled with a gallon of water at least. Pour more water when needed.
The most obvious safety tip with regards to Christmas trees is to never place them near fire. Keep it away from the fire place and lighted candles. You can also spray it with a fire retardant.
When it’s time to get rid of your tree, do so properly. Don’t keep it in your home for too long. Remember, when it dries, it’s easier to catch fire. Make sure you remove everything. Don’t throw any part of the tree in your fire place or burn them anywhere near your home.
Other Heat Sources
Another important tip for a fire-free Christmas is to never ever place something flammable near a heat source. That means no Christmas trees or decors near your fireplace or space heater.
When it comes to space heaters, you should only plug it directly to a 20-amp circuit. Don’t use it with an extension cord or leave it plugged for too long. You should only use a space heater for temporary heating.
Cigarettes may also cause fire. If you’re a smoker, never smoke near your Christmas tree or other flammable materials. You should take your ashtray outside and smoke there where it’s safer. Even while outside, you should not smoke near something flammable. You also shouldn’t throw away your cigarette butt without completely putting it out.
Keep your lighters and matches somewhere that young children can’t reach or access. You don’t want your child to strike a match while sitting under your Christmas tree, do you? Not only will they end up in the naughty list, you may also end up without a home.
Fire-Proof Your Home
Preventing fire is not the only safety tip you should take to heart. You must also know what to do if a fire breaks out.
Fire Extinguisher
Your best bet is to be prepared. Invest on fire extinguishers and fire suppressants. Make sure you have one in each room. Each member should know how to use it. For the little ones, you can get kiddie extinguishers or fire suppressants.
Smoke Detectors
Install smoke detectors and fire alarms all over your home. A smoke detector in each room is ideal. There have been lots of cases in which the victims weren’t even aware there was a fire in their home. A fire alarm will wake people up in case a fire breaks out in the middle of the night. It will at least give them time to evacuate to safety.
Teach Everyone About Fires
Knowledge is power and to have a fire-free Christmas, you should have the knowledge about the different fire safety tips. Teach your family, specially the little ones, of the dangers of fire. Make sure they understand what may happen if they play with a match, knock a candle down, or plug too many devices in an extension cord.
You should also teach them what to do in case of a fire. They’re chances of survival depends on how much they know and how quick they act.
Remember, it’s nice to have a merry and bright Christmas but not when the brightness is coming from a blazing inferno gobbling down your home. Go to The Gentleman Pirate to find out more about turning your humble abode into a fire-proof home.
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