The holidays are supposed to be the happiest time of the year, but they also mean more lights, candles, things to plug in—all which can be dangerous. This year, cover all the bases with the proper fire safety tips.
If you decorated a live Christmas tree in your home this year, there are a few special things you should do to care for it and prevent a fire. For starters, don’t place your tree close to any heating source such as a vent or a fireplace. The heat from these sources will dry out the tree, making it more likely to catch fire.
Of course, do not drop or flick cigarette ashes near the tree. It is a good idea to take your tree down after two weeks, as it will get too dry. While it is up, be sure to keep the tree stand filled with water all the time.
When it is time to take down the tree, never put the tree branches or needles in a fireplace or a wood-burning stove. Once the tree becomes dry, get it out of the house right away. Take it to a recycling center or have it picked up by a community pickup service.
Maintaining your holiday lights is an important part of fire safety. Make sure the lights you put up don’t have any frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, or excessive wear. Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions state it is safe. Connect the strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into an outlet. Periodically check the wires, they should never be warm. As always, never leave the lights on unattended.
When decorating your home for the holidays, use non-flammable decorations and place them away from heat vents. Never put wrapping paper in a fireplace as it could cause a large fire with dangerous sparks and may even result in a chimney fire.
Avoid using lit candles, and if you do use them, place them in stable holders where they can’t be easily knocked down. Never leave candles burning unattended. And never put lit candles on a Christmas tree.
{post by DanBrady}
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