The holiday season is a special time to reflect on our gratitude and to celebrate with beloved family and friends. Naturally, fire safety may not be on one’s radar. However, according to the National Fire Protection Association, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are among the deadliest days for house fires. The overwhelming majority of these house fires can be prevented. Heightened situational awareness of potential holiday-related fire hazards is paramount to help ensure a safer holiday.
Potential Fire Hazards:
1. Christmas trees:
Christmas tree fires can be caused by decorative lights, candles, and other heat sources such as portable heaters, fireplaces, and cooking equipment. Positioning your Christmas tree at a safe distance from these heat sources is a helpful mitigation strategy. Live Christmas trees will dry out and become a fire hazard if not watered regularly. Real Christmas trees should be removed when the needles start to dry out and/or fall off in large quantities.
Artificial trees offer better fire retardation, though precautions related to fire hazards still must be considered.
Christmas tree fires can be caused by, among other things, decorative lights, candles, and other heat sources such as portable heaters, fireplaces, and cooking equipment. Positioning your Christmas tree at a safe distance from these heat sources is a helpful mitigation strategy. Live Christmas trees will dry out and become a fire hazard if not watered regularly. Real Christmas trees should be removed when the needles start to dry out and/or fall off in large quantities.
Artificial trees offer better fire retardation, though precautions relating to fire hazards still must be considered.
A Christmas tree should be safely positioned away from fire hazards such as heaters and candles.
2. Candles
Candles shouldn’t be placed too close to flammable objects such as a Christmas tree, cloth furniture, or curtains. Placement should also account for children and pets who may accidentally knock over lit candles. Candle fires that occur while occupants are asleep or out of the room can be deadly. Candles should never be left unattended. LED (Light Emitting Diode) battery-operated candles offer a safer alternative. These candles are also available with a wax candle base, which provides a similar look and feel to a regular candle without the fire risks.
3. Cooking
Though this hazard is not unique to the holiday season, a busy Christmas kitchen may lead to fire injuries and/or death. To avoid spills and burns, minimize the number of people working in the kitchen. It is also important to minimize loose clothing and other combustibles near cooking equipment and other open-flame appliances.
4. Portable Heaters:
The use of portable heaters indoors poses fire risks. A portable heater should be positioned at a safe distance from combustible objects such as curtains or a Christmas tree. Newer electric portable heaters come with auto-shutoff capabilities when tipped over and a timer to help mitigate fire risks. Always plug portable heaters directly into wall outlets.[
5. Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms simply save lives! Your home should have a fully functioning smoke alarm on every floor. Smoke alarms should be tested monthly to ensure the batteries are working. Batteries should be replaced yearly.. For more information and tips on fire safety, please visit our Fire Safety links.
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