Holiday Fire Protection Tips

The festive season is upon us and that means plenty of opportunities for entertaining at home. Whether you’re hosting a big Christmas feast or simply having friends over for cocktails, it’s important to be aware of the fire hazards that come along with cooking and decorating for the holidays. Here are some holiday fire protection tips to help keep your home and loved ones safe this season.

Christmas Trees

If you’re using a real Christmas tree, make sure to water it regularly and position it away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators and televisions. It’s also important to inspect your tree lights each year to ensure there are no frayed wires or loose bulbs before plugging them in. If you’re using an artificial tree, make sure it’s made from flame-retardant materials.

Candles

Candles are a common feature of holiday decorating, but they can also be a major fire hazard. Never leave burning candles unattended and make sure to extinguish them before leaving the room or going to bed. If possible, opt for battery-operated candles instead of real ones. If you do use real candles, make sure they’re placed in sturdy holders that won’t tip over easily.

Cooking

Cooking is one of the main sources of holiday fires, so it’s important to be vigilant when preparing food. Never leave cooking food unattended and don’t cook if you’re tired or have been drinking alcohol. Be especially careful when deep frying as hot oil can easily catch fire. If a fire does start, don’t try to put it out yourself – call 000 immediately and let the professionals handle it. 

Check Decors

Many people make the mistake of overloading their electrical circuits to accommodate holiday lighting, decorations, and even cooking appliances without realizing how this increases the risk of fires and outages.

If you decide to plug multiple lights into the same circuit or extension cords, keep in mind the power capacity of a household circuit and major appliances.

Also, before plugging in Christmas lights or any other electrical decorations, make sure the strands are not frayed, kinked, or worn. If you see any, throw them away right away.

Conclusion: 

By following these simple holiday fire protection tips, you can help keep your home and family safe this festive season. Take care when decorating with candles, watering your Christmas tree and cooking holiday meals to avoid any accidents. And if a fire does break out, don’t try to tackle it yourself – call 000 immediately and let the experts handle it.