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For many of us, the warm glow of candles and a crackling fire going in the living room, are essential to the holiday spirit. But they can also be fire hazards.
As we approach the holidays, you may be looking forward to family gatherings, dinners with friends, and special celebrations. If your holidays include having a cozy fire in the fireplace, candles on the table, twinkle lights on the tree, or extra space heaters around the house to warm things up, you’re not alone.
Nearly 160,000 fires occur during the winter holidays season. Tragically causing an average of 630 deaths, 2,600 injuries, and approximately $940 million in property damage, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.
Here are the four main holiday fire hazards, and some tips on how to avoid them:
Fireplaces
Properly dispose of fireplace ashes. Allow them to cool for 12 -24 hours, place them in a metal bucket, and then move the bucket outside until there are no more hot spots. Get your chimney inspected and cleaned before the holidays. And, check your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they’re working well.
Candles
Never leave candles unattended or place them in high-traffic areas and leave a two-foot circle of safety around them. Be sure not to light them close to trees or decorations.
Holiday Lighting
Don’t overload extension cords or use indoor extension cords outside and don’t run extension cords under rugs, as they can fray or be pinched by heavy furniture. Plug outdoor lights into ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) to prevent electric shocks. Inspect all lights and cords before using them; replace old lights every few years. Also look into purchasing surge protectors for your outlets – these can help protect other electrical devices in your home should your power supply system get overloaded. And, conserve energy so be sure to turn off lights when you’re away from home and before going to sleep.
Space Heaters
Never leave space heaters unattended or near anything flammable. Check the circuit you plan to use, to make sure it can handle the added demand of a space heater. Don’t remove the third-prong grounding feature – and always plug them into GFCIs for added safety.
