Keeping Your Decorated Home Fire-Safe

3/13/2023 (Permalink)

Keep your family safe, and take preventative measures to insure their safety at all times.

Can’t you just picture this…riding down the street and viewing the lovely glowing lights, walking in the house and smelling sweet baked goods, and hearing soft music floating through the air everywhere you go? It’s also time for so many events like the downtown JoyFest that bring our community together.

The holidays are such a magical time of year, but they are also a time of year when fire risks run high.

Take the time to decorate your home safely this season so you can enjoy every moment of community events, family time, and the sweet cozy feelings the season has to offer.

Top Seasonal Hazards

Every year, there are an average of 790 structure fires started due to seasonal decoration misuse.

Items hung too close to a heating source are a primary starter of these fires. Candles and Christmas trees of any variety are another risk factor for winter blazes that can leave your home in complete devastation.

If you decorate with a real tree, make sure it is watered regularly and any needles that have fallen on the ground are swept up. Artificial trees should include a fire-resistant tag, so if your tree was one that came from Grandma’s house, consider upgrading for the most safety. Don’t overload your outlets and make sure you always turn everything off at night.

Take Preventive Measures

Make the line “The stockings were hung by the chimney with care” one of your personal mottos while you decorate and avoid self-made fire hazards by hanging decorations away from any open flames.

That evergreen-scented candle might make your house smell like the season, but candles are to blame for an average of 20 house fires a day. Burn candles in an open space, and always blow them out before you leave the room.

If your home has a fireplace, make sure it is cleaned and inspected every year.

Any decorations you intend to put outside should be rated appropriately to handle the weather. Make sure lights are hung snugly with outdoor-rated nails to avoid brush fires and check your area for outdoor decorating guidelines in order to protect the safety of your community.

While you decorate with care, check your smoke detectors. Replace batteries as needed and make sure you have one near every sleeping area of your home.

Walk everyone in your house through your emergency plans and add SERVPRO to your contacts list. We can start restoration fast if your home is damaged in a fire so you can get back to enjoying the season.

Have smoke or fire damage in your house? Contact us today to get cleaned up fast.