Jul
9
Holiday Decoration Safety Tips You Shouldn’t Miss
It is hard to imagine that something as beautiful as Christmas decorations can cause a devastating tragedy such as a fire accident. But this is true. Every holiday season, we hear news about home and building fires that originate from Christmas lights and other types of decorative items that make use of electricity. This is why, aside from ensuring that you have the most festive and colorful kinds of décor, you also practice the following safety precautions so you can have a worry-free holidays.
Christmas Trees
The Christmas tree has become one of the ultimate symbols of this season. It is difficult to feel the holiday ambience if your home does not have this as the focal point of your Christmas decoration. But did you know that many of the holiday fires that occur start from this décor? Yes, a dry tree can easily catch fire from the flame of a candle or match and grow into an uncontrollable fire in a matter of seconds.
Choosing the right Christmas tree is the first safety measure to be undertaken. If you are buying an artificial one, be sure to find one that has a “fire resistant” label on it. Although this doesn’t mean that the tree will be fireproof, it will be more resistant to burning. If you are thinking of getting a live tree, get one that is fresh. You would know that a tree is fresh if you can’t pull the needles from the branches. The position of the tree is another thing to keep in mind. Position it away from the fireplace and any other heat or flame source. Fill up the tree holder with water.
Lights
Holiday lights are the next item on the list that you should watch out for. For one, use only lights that have been tested for safety and those that have plugs and fuses. Choose appropriate lights for outdoor and indoor use. Always check the lights for cracked sockets, frayed cords, bare wires, and loose connections before using them. Damaged bulbs should be replaced immediately with high quality bulbs of the same wattage.
Candles and Other Ornaments
Aside from the Christmas tree and lights, you should also be very careful with the use candles. For one, you should never use candles to decorate your Christmas tree. You shouldn’t even use candles for other flammable ornaments like fresh pine or branches decoration just to be on the safe side. Keep them away from any other thing that can catch fire such as paper, books, curtains, clothing and so on. Burning candles should never be left unattended. They should be positioned in an area that is out of children’s reach. Use non-flammable and sturdy candleholders to secure your candle décors.
Decorating your home with Christmas tree, lights, and candles can surely provide the wonderful and festive ambience that is what the holidays are about. However, to be safe at all times, follow the safety measures mentioned above. Moreover, be sure to equip your home with a reliable and high quality fire extinguisher like powder (classes A, B, and C) and CO2 (electrical fires) to guarantee maximum fire protection for you and your family.
