Tips for Fire Safety Ahead of the Holiday Season | SERVPRO® of Alamo Heights

11/11/2020 (Permalink)

Make sure your fire risk is low during the holidays. If you experience any damage, SERVPRO of Alamo will be here to help.

As the weather turns cooler and we prepare for the fast-approaching holiday season, there are many things to keep in mind. While gift guides and recipes are aplenty, it is important to keep fire safety at the forefront of everything you do this season.

It has been found that house fires peak in the wintertime, simply because most winter activities give them more of an opportunity to occur.

These risks should not keep you from participating in winter fun, however—it is just important to go about your cooking, heating and decorating safely so you do not accidentally become a victim of a house fire yourself.

Fire Safety Tips for Wintertime

Keep safe when cooking. Cooking is consistently one of the top causes of fires in the home, and because more people tend to cook large meals and participate in holiday baking, these types of fires often increase during the winter. Every time you cook, be certain to keep flammable objects away from the stove, make sure a fire extinguisher is handy and keep at least three feet around the stove clear of all other people, children and pets.

Heat the house with proper precautions. Another winter-specific hazard comes from space heaters and fireplaces being used to warm up the home. While you can use both of these tools safely, it is important to take the proper precautions every single time. Ensure you are using a space heater that is equipped with modern safety features such as a tip-over and overheating system, never use them with an extension cord and keep them a good distance from anything flammable. For fireplaces, be sure to do proper chimney maintenance and never leave a fire burning unattended.

Decorate with care. As households add Christmas trees, holiday lighting and other decorations to their home, electrical circuits can easily become overloaded and spark. Overloading electrical outlets and power strips is responsible for around 25% of Christmas tree fires every year. As you decorate, be sure to space out where you are plugging things in, avoid using any decorations with frayed wiring and always unplug everything before leaving the house or going to sleep.

If you have damage due to a house fire, you can depend on us to help. Contact us 24 hours a day to report damage and receive a quick response from our certified restoration technicians. Get in touch today.