According to the National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA), about half of the nation’s home structure fires occur between November and March. Candles start more than half of decoration-related fires in December while January is the peak month for both fires and fire-related deaths. Let’s stay safe!
Water Indoor Trees
Without water, natural trees become dry and a fire hazard. The heat from decorative lights is enough to ignite a dry tree. Keep all trees away from heat sources. Bend needles to ensure it’s not too dry.
Don’t allow your pets to drink the water from the tree stand. Tree preservatives will injure your pets. Wrap a tree skirt over the tree stand to prevent a visit to the vet. Artificial trees are a good alternative.
While eating a single poinsettia leaf probably won’t kill children or pets, it can make them sick with a variety of unpleasant symptoms. Keep the plant out of their reach to keep the holidays happy.
Detect Carbon Monoxide
Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas. It’s produced whenever fossil fuel is burned. It causes sudden illness and death. It’s preventable with some caution and a detector.
Inexpensive carbon monoxide detectors are available online and at home improvement stores. There are battery-powered, plug-ins and hardwired detectors. Install at least one on each floor of your home near sleeping areas. Place them waist level or higher. Place them 15-20 feet away from natural gas appliances and equipment. Consider placing one in the garage.
Ensure the chimney flue is open on the fireplace before ignition. Never use portable generators or outdoor heaters inside an enclosed space. Don’t run an automobile in a closed garage.
Open Fire Guidelines
Cooking accounts for 20 percent of all holiday-season fires. Don’t leave items unattended on the stove or place flammable items on counters within three feet of flames.
Candles make the season bright but need to be attended or extinguish. Also, place candle holders on heat-resistant objects like stone or tile hot pads to avoid conductive burns and fires. Use battery-powered candles rather than open flames.
Unattended candles cause 20 percent of home candle fires. Half of home fire deaths occur between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. (NFPA)
Creosote buildup in a wood-burning chimney is flammable. Have the fireplace cleaned and checked. Local firefighters often provide this service as a side job to make holiday money. Use seasoned (not green) wood to reduce creosote buildup. Ensure no flammable items are within three feet of the fireplace. It is best to extinguish the flames – even gas-only - before going to bed.
Ensure Decorations Don’t Short
Check electrical decorations before use to avoid both shock and fire hazards. Look for exposed wires, cracked casings, loose connections and damaged fuses. An electrical short can create a fire. Likewise, cracked and overloaded electrical sockets and circuits are common causes of holiday fires.
Only have one high-wattage item plugged into an outlet. Never run electrical wires through standing water. All electrical decorations should have a testing laboratory label. Don’t hang “indoor only” lights (marked with a green UL tag) outside. Outdoor lights have a red UL tag. Battery-operated lights are a good alternative but must be inspected too.
Hire a Driver
There is never an acceptable reason to drink and drive. Hire a driver before you leave. If not, hire one after you drink. Some towing companies offer a service to get both the driver and the car safely home.
I’ve Got Your Six!
Carbon Monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas. It’s produced whenever fossil fuel is burned. It causes sudden illness and death. It’s preventable with some caution and a detector.
Inexpensive carbon monoxide detectors are available online and at home improvement stores. There are battery-powered, plug-ins and hardwired detectors. Install at least one on each floor of your home near sleeping areas. Place them waist level or higher. Place them 15-20 feet away from natural gas appliances and equipment. Consider placing one in the garage.
Ensure the chimney flue is open on the fireplace before ignition. Never use portable generators or outdoor heaters inside an enclosed space. Don’t run an automobile in a closed garage.
Open Fire Guidelines
Cooking accounts for 20 percent of all holiday-season fires. Don’t leave items unattended on the stove or place flammable items on counters within three feet of flames.
Candles make the season bright but need to be attended or extinguish. Also, place candle holders on heat-resistant objects like stone or tile hot pads to avoid conductive burns and fires. Use battery-powered candles rather than open flames.
Unattended candles cause 20 percent of home candle fires. Half of home fire deaths occur between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. (NFPA)
Creosote buildup in a wood-burning chimney is flammable. Have the fireplace cleaned and checked. Local firefighters often provide this service as a side job to make holiday money. Use seasoned (not green) wood to reduce creosote buildup. Ensure no flammable items are within three feet of the fireplace. It is best to extinguish the flames – even gas-only - before going to bed.
Ensure Decorations Don’t Short
Check electrical decorations before use to avoid both shock and fire hazards. Look for exposed wires, cracked casings, loose connections and damaged fuses. An electrical short can create a fire. Likewise, cracked and overloaded electrical sockets and circuits are common causes of holiday fires.
Only have one high-wattage item plugged into an outlet. Never run electrical wires through standing water. All electrical decorations should have a testing laboratory label. Don’t hang “indoor only” lights (marked with a green UL tag) outside. Outdoor lights have a red UL tag. Battery-operated lights are a good alternative but must be inspected too.
Hire a Driver
There is never an acceptable reason to drink and drive. Hire a driver before you leave. If not, hire one after you drink. Some towing companies offer a service to get both the driver and the car safely home.
I’ve Got Your Six!
Mark M. Hancock, GRI, MRP, AHWD
REALTOR, New Build certified
214-862-7212
DFWmark.com
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