HOLIDAY SAFETY

Holiday Safety

  Keeping your home and business safe  

While the holidays can be a time for celebrating and rekindling with loved ones, it could quickly turn disastrous by the way of a structure fire.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fires that began with Christmas trees accounted for estimated annual averages of 240 structure fires and an average of 13 deaths, 27 injuries and $16.7 million in property damages.

Forty-two percent of those fires occurred from Dec. 23 through Jan. 3, according to the NFPA.

The NFPA said holiday lights with line voltage were the culprits in an estimated average 150 home structure fires, causing an average of eight deaths, 14 injuries and $8.5 million in damage. Almost half of these occurred in December and 13 percent happened in January, according to the NFPA.
 

Christmas Tree Safety:

• Consider an artificial tree for safety and clean up
• A real tree should not lose green needles when you tap it on the ground
• Cut one inch off the trunk to help absorb water
• Leave the tree outside until ready to decorate
• The tree stand should hold a minimum of one gallon of water
• Check the water level daily
• Make sure the tree is secured and cannot be knocked over
• Keep the tree away from all heat sources
• Use miniature lights that have cool-burning bulbs
• Always turn off the tree lights when going to bed or leaving
• Never use candles even on artificial trees
• Dispose of the tree properly after the holidays

Information courtesy ServiceMaster All Care Restoration, Peoria, Az.