The holidays are a festive and busy time spent gathering with family and friends. In all the commotion, it’s easy to overlook situations that could cause an emergency. Review these fire safety tips for the holidays to help your family enjoy a safe and relaxing season.
Don’t Overload Electrical Circuits
If you have a tradition of decking out your house for the holidays, it’s important to pay attention to how many plugs you are using. Never connect more than 3 strands of string lights together. Use power strips equipped with a surge protector if you need to plug multiple decorations and devices into an outlet. Overloading the electrical circuit creates a fire hazard.
Fire Safety Tips for the Holidays for Candles
Candles are used more during the holidays than at any other time of year. While they add ambiance to a room, any open flame can start a house fire. When using candles, follow these fire safety tips for the holidays:
- Place candles inside of candle holders that contain the flame.
- Set candles on surfaces that are sturdy and non-flammable.
- Don’t burn candles when you are away or asleep.
- Keep candles out-of-reach of children and pets so they can’t be knocked over.
A safer alternative to traditional wax candles is battery-powered LED candles. You can find options that have a realistic flicker and are dimmable that provide the same peaceful glow without the fire risk.
Get Rid of Damaged Lights and Devices
If you have lights with frayed cords or broken bulbs on your holiday tree or hung up around the house, they should be removed and thrown away. Broken string lights on a dried-out tree are the perfect combination to start a fire. Fire safety tips for the holidays include making sure that anything electrical is in good condition.