How We Can Prevent Holiday Home Hazards

12/19/2019 (Permalink)

Holiday Fire Safety Tips from the leaders in fire restoration!

“Wires here…wires there… wires, wires everywhere!”  A phrase that conjures up an image in your mind I’m sure. If your home is anything like mine this time of year, it consists of ‘rigged’ holiday decorations that somehow manage to generate the holiday spirit.  

Regardless, the holiday season is certainly the most enjoyable time of year. Unfortunately, due to the excessive amount of electrical home décor being used, unexpected house fires are all too common. There are ways to avoid this danger and most of these preventative measures only require a little common sense.

To help prevent house fires, keep the following in mind throughout the holiday season:

• When it comes to caring for your live Christmas tree, the org says to keep it watered and far away from any heat sources (fireplaces, radiators, temporary heaters). When decorating the tree, consider LED lighting. They use a lot less electricity and are much safer.

• Food is a big part of any holiday. Your oven and cook top will be humming with activity. Whether you have a gas or electric oven/stove, fires can erupt as a result of grease buildups. Keep these cooking units as clean as possible. A drip pan may be a good idea to prevent the grease from accumulating.

• Electric outlets and power strips tend to get overwhelmed in the effort to create the desired decorative look. Surge strips should accompany extension cords as they will shut off itself should it becomes too heated. Finally, try not to pile presents and other decorations on the extension cords.

Other areas of focus to consider during the holiday season are:

• The National Safety Council estimates thousands of people will visit the ER as a result of holiday related injuries. The majority result from holiday decorating accidents and food handling. Did you know… Mistletoe and holly berries are potentially poisonous if ingested.

• Also, food poisoning is prevalent during the holidays due to cross contamination and the large amount of food being handled and prepared. Learning to properly store, prepare and serve food safely can help prevent food poisoning. Leftovers need to be put away properly and immediately.

• Be selective when picking gifts for young children. Toys are now age-rated for safety reasons. Toys for children under the age of 3 are designed to be free of small pieces to help prevent choking. When buying for children under the age of 10, try to avoid any toys that require electricity.

• Finally, and most importantly, be sure to check the batteries in you smoke detectors at least twice a year. The holiday season is a good time to insure a safe environment for guests and family. It also insures a great start to the new year!

SERVPRO of Southern Trumbull County can be reached at (330) 392-6355. We are available 24/7 and always happy to help!