'Tis The Season to Decorate Safety

12/12/2024 (Permalink)

Pretty lights, candles, and decorations are just a few of the items bringing charm and cheer to the holiday season - however, if they are not used carefully, your holidays may go from festive to frightening in a moment's notice. The American Red Cross offers the following safety tips to help greatly reduce the risk of fire in your home or business.

• Place Christmas trees, candles, and other holiday decorations at least three feet away from heat sources like fi replaces, portable heaters, radiators, heat vents, and candles.
• Make sure string lights and other holiday decor are in good condition. Do not use lights with frayed electrical cords. Do not string too many strands of lights together no more than three per extension cord.
• Always unplug the Christmas tree and other lights before leaving the property or going to bed.
• Use only sturdy Christmas tree stands that are designed not to tip over. Keep curious pets and children away from Christmas trees.
• Keep burning candles on a solid surface where they cannot be easily knocked over. Monitor them closely and remember to always blow them out. Burning candles lead to nearly three times as many residential fires on Christmas Day, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
• Do not light the fi replace if you have hanging stockings or other decorations on the mantle that can overheat or catch fire. 
• If you use a live Christmas tree, make sure it's fresh and keep it watered. To test if the tree is fresh, bend the needles up and down to make sure no needles fall off.

Your local SERVPRO franchise team wishes you a safe & happy holiday season!