The holidays are the perfect time to go all out in your home with lights, tinsel and more. But all the electric materials and flammable decorations also mean more chances for fires. To make sure your hosting and relaxation are as worry-free as possible, here are the top holiday fire safety tips you need to know.
Holiday Home Safety Tips
Not only are holiday fires dangerous, but they can be expensive too (in fact, they destroy more than $554 million in property each year). Nearly any holiday item can act as fuel in some way or another for a fire, so even if you’re not decorating or haven’t decorated much, the potential is still there. For your home to be at its safest, you need to consider everything from your oven to candlesticks.
How to Prevent Holiday Cooking Mishaps
The kitchen is already a hotspot for fires, and the holiday season only amplifies this. As a lot of things happen in and around the kitchen, it’s crucial to stay focused on the actual cooking. You should:
- Check food frequently (timers can help).
- Keep pot and pan handles turned inward so they won’t get bumped into.
- Keep grills or deep-frying cookware outside, on concrete or asphalt, unless instructions say otherwise.
- Clean up any grease spills quickly.
- For small grease fires: turn off the oven and close the door until it cools (do not use water).
- For small pan fires: use a lid or baking sheet to fan them out.
How to Prevent Holiday Lighting Accidents
While the most common issue with holiday lights is dead bulbs, both indoor and outdoor lights are still a fire hazard. You should always:
- Test out lights for about 15 minutes before you hang them up.
- Inspect your light strings and replace any with signs of damage or exposed inner wiring.
- Hang them correctly (e.g., use clips over nails).
- Follow manufacturer instructions for how many light strings can be connected at a time (most often, it will be three).
- Use replacement bulbs with the same voltage rating as the ones they’re replacing.
- For outdoor lights specifically:
- Keep them clear from power lines (ten or more feet).
- Ensure your circuits are protected by Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs).
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How to Prevent Candle Fire Hazards
Whether for a Menorah, Kinara or just some nice light and scents, candles are key this time of year. It’s not surprising then that the top three days a year for candle-related home fires are Christmas, New Year’s Day and New Year’s Eve. While you can always replace them with flameless/electric ones, if you opt for the real deal, you should:
- Always keep them in eyesight and blow out candles in unoccupied rooms.
- Have them on heat resistant and stable surfaces that are out of the way.
- Keep them far away from flammable objects (three feet is ideal).
- Put them in sturdy, non-flammable holders that can catch melting wax.
- Avoid lighting them in bedrooms or anywhere you may fall asleep.
How to Safely Protect A Tree
Do you celebrate the holiday season with a tree? One in three Christmas tree fires are due to electrical problems. To keep your tree and home safe:
| For any tree | If you have a real tree |
| Never use lit candles as decorations. | Keep your tree from becoming dry and highly flammable by watering it every day. You know it’s fresh if the needles are hard to break or pull out from branches and the trunk has resin on it. |
| Make sure your tree is secured to the ground with a stand. | Cut about two inches from the tree’s trunk when placing it in the stand to ensure it can best get water. |
| Keep your tree at least three feet away from any heat source. | Get rid of your tree once it’s dry. |
How to Properly Prepare a Fireplace
While a fireplace is great for heat and added coziness this time of year, it can also be a hassle to maintain and look over. For everyone’s safety, you should:
- Make sure the flue/chimney is working properly before lighting it.
- Ensure it’s kept clean/free of debris and dust.
- Avoid tossing anything into the fireplace that isn’t meant for it (e.g., a small piece of wrapping paper that can float back out).
- Keep stockings from hanging too low or close to the flames (opt for three feet if possible).
- Use fire salts with care and follow the manufacturer’s guidelines.
- Never overload it with wood.
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Practice Pet Fire Safety
Your furry family members can be a great guest at any holiday party with the right precautions:
- Cooking: Making the kitchen a pet-free area is a great idea. If this isn’t possible, try to keep them three feet from any cooking.
- Ornaments: Hang ornaments above where pets can reach them. This way, they can’t get hurt by or damage them (which could lead to a fire later on).
- Fireplace: Use a screen to keep pets from getting too close and to prevent embers from flying out and catching fur.
Make the Most of Every Season With Window World
Follow these tips, make sure your fire alarms are working and have a fire extinguisher (or two) handy, and you’ll be all the more prepared for the holiday season. For everything else for a high-performing home, turn to Window World of Huntsville and our high-quality, professionally installed products. Get started today with your free in-home or virtual consultation.