How to Prevent a Home Fire During the Holidays in the Gulf Coast

The holiday season is a time of joy and wonder. Unfortunately, far too many homeowners know that the holiday season can also bring risks. In fact, house fires occur more frequently during the holiday season than during any other time of the year. According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly 170 house fires occur each year due to a Christmas tree. On average, one in every 45 house fires during the holiday season results in a death.

It is time for homeowners to take fire safety during the holiday season more seriously. Consider the following tips for a cautious, accident-free holiday season.

Holiday Fire Safety Tips

As we mentioned, residential fires during the holidays are far more commonplace, expensive, and dangerous than any other time of the year. The country experiences double the number of house fires during Christmas time than any other holiday or season. Think if we could prevent even half of these accidents by taking precautions.

Here are a few holiday fire safety tips:

• Cooking – Cooking is one of the top causes of holiday fires, according to the USFA Typically, the reason why a fire begins while cooking is because someone leaves the stovetop or oven unattended. It is so easy to become distracted during the holidays. Consider taking a pot holder with you at all times as a reminder that you have something on the stovetop cooking. Also, make sure you have a fire extinguisher within the kitchen in an easy-to-reach area.
• Candles – We tend to light candles far more often during the holidays, both as ambiance and for a little mood-setting light. Unfortunately, candles fires occur four times more often during the holidays than during any other month. To reduce the risk of a candle fire, leave about one-foot of space between a lit candle and flammable objects. Also, never leave a lit candle unattended.
• Christmas Tree – It takes just 30 seconds for a completely dry Christmas tree to catch fire, according to the National Institute for Standards and Technology. To reduce the risk of a tree fire, be sure to water a fresh tree daily. Keep the entire tree away from any nearby heat sources, such as a fireplace or radiator, and use live garland sparingly and away from heat sources, too.
• Lighting – Cracked and frayed wires on decorations are another common cause of holiday fires. Before hanging any lighting, always inspect the wires for signs of damage and replace as needed.

If your home has suffered extensive fire damage during the holidays, call Restoration 1 of Gulf Coast for 24/7 fire damage restoration. You can reach our expert team of restoration specialists by calling 228-231-9745 today!