Although fun decorations and delicious food can make the holidays all the more magical, they can also pose fire hazards.

This holiday season understand top fire hazards and how to protect your family.

Understand Top Holiday Hazards

Decoration fires peak in December according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). One example: 44% of Christmas tree fires occurred in December compared to 37% in January 2015. Other holiday hazards include:

  • Candles
  • Cooking equipment (e.g. deep fryers)
  • Electrical distribution and light equipment
  • Heating equipment

Add Extra Fire Protection

If your family plans to enjoy the magic of the holidays with extra decorations and homemade meals, ensure extra protection is in place. Some tips to keep your loved ones safe this holiday include:

  • Give your smoke detectors/fire alarms a checkup. Before setting up holiday decorations, ensure fire detection equipment is running smoothly and that batteries are replaced if needed.
  • Have a fire escape plan in place.Communicate your plan to your family members so everyone is aware of necessary steps should a fire occur.
  • Be conscious of where you set up and use decorations. Do not store decorations in rooms lacking fire detection equipment or near heat sources.
  • Never leave hot stoves or deep fryers unattended. Ensure someone is watching food as it cooks so unexpected flames can be tended to if necessary.
  • Keep candles away from pets and children. Strategically place candles or open flames out of reach.
  • Blow out candles when leaving the room or your home, or going to sleep.
  • Turn off lights, decorations, and cooking equipment when not in use. Do not leave decorations unattended or on for a long period of time.
  • Purchase flame resistant or flame retardant decorations when possible. In addition, don’t use decorations with broken or exposed electrical cords or lights.
  • Don’t go overboard on power circuits Though it may be tempting to light up a room with decorations, avoid plugging too many cords into one outlet.
  • If you have a real tree in your home, remember to water it daily and decorate with safety in mind. Eliminating excess lights and ensuring tree hydration can help keep your tree safe and healthy in your home.

How do you provide your home with extra fire safety around the holidays? Share your comments below.

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