The Christmas season and the other holidays are fun to be celebrated with friends and family. In many nations, Christmas is the most cherished event. Many families have decorated their homes with different decorations, including Christmas trees, hanging lights, garlands, and even candles to enjoy the festive mood. But, they have risks that increase the chance of having a house fire. It is possible to avoid a fire this holiday season by following a simple set of holiday decoration security precautions.
Fire Safety Tips
Christmas decorations can be risky when placed near a dangerous item or not correctly put in place. Restoration companies recommend these ideas to make your holiday safe and enjoyable for your loved ones, family, and guests.
Candle Safety
Candle mishaps are responsible for around 300 Christmas decorations fires, 36 percent of the reported incidents. Christmas and New Year’s Day are the most popular days to burn candles. The following safety guidelines will allow you to enjoy your decorations without risk:
- You should store lighters and matches in high and preferably in locked cabinets.
- Put the candles inside sturdy holders, and ensure they are out of reach of pets and children.
- If you go out of the bedroom or go to bed, extinguish the candles. Place a ceremonial candle in an enclosed glass container in the sink, a metal tray, or a deep water-filled basin if it must burn continuously.
- Be sure to keep candles away from flammable objects as well as other ornaments.
- Don’t let small children hold a candle in flame since they may not be able to handle it safely. If you plan to celebrate the holidays, think about using candles powered by batteries.
Christmas Tree Safety
Did you know that Christmas trees can cause an enormous amount of property damage every year? They’re a danger to you and your loved ones, as well as everyone you know. Additionally, the combination of dryness in the tree and electrical issues that involve lights, as well as improperly located heating sources, could prove dangerous when you display the live tree at your home. If you are required to have live trees for your Christmas celebrations, make sure to follow these guidelines to avoid dangers:
- Fresh trees are less likely for fire to start; thus, select ones with vibrant and green leaves. They are hard to pull and won’t fall from their branches. The hands of the tree street should not fall off quickly.
- To keep your tree from becoming dry, make sure it is kept away from sources of heat such as radiators, fireplaces and heat vents, candles, or lighting sources, and keep the tree’s base hydrated with water.
- Verify that your Christmas lights, both outdoor and indoor, have been tested at a lab by UL or ETL/ITSNA.
- Make sure that you keep all candles off your tree furniture and Christmas decorations for Christmas.
- Switch off the lights at your bedtime.
Circuit Safety
Circuits for electrical power have a maximum quantity of energy that they can manage. An overload in a circuit occurs when you draw more electrical power than the circuit can take. Circuit breakers assist in breaking down the circuit and interrupting the flow of electricity. The overload could result in the circuit’s wiring overheating even if there are no breakers. It could cause the insulation on the wire to melt or even start the fire to become a major one.
Since different circuits have varying capacities, some can provide more power than others. Your home’s electrical system suits the needs of the ordinary family. However, we can fall into the trap of overloading circuits with too many gadgets. Here are some standard circuit overload solutions on how to prepare your home:
- Make improvements to your electrical system as well as electric lines.
- Make sure you don’t use every piece of the electrical device simultaneously.
- Make use of an extension cord when you need to.
- Call an electrician immediately if a short circuit or overload continues regardless of your efforts.