Given the flurry of activity that surrounds the holiday season, it's a good idea for families to review their holiday safety tips. Safety might not be the first thing on your mind, especially if you're caught up in the swell of holiday shopping, baking and parties around Roswell. But failing to take the proper precautions with lights and tree decorations, for example, could lead to a very unhappy holiday.
Holiday Safety Tips
Here's how to stay safe during the holidays when it comes to electrical equipment:
- Don't use old, worn-out lights. A string of ornamental tree lights that has a frayed cord or bare wiring is an accident waiting to happen.
- Don't use indoor lights outside or outside lights indoors.
- Hang outdoor lights so that they do not come in contact with snow or water. Make sure the connections and plugs don't have the chance to get wet, either.
- Limit how many connections you make with lighting. Only three sets of lights should be used per extension cord.
- If you're not going to be home or your family's heading off to bed, shut down the holiday lights and tree lights for the night. If you can't supervise their use, shut them off.
- Keep live trees well-watered. Without sufficient water, trees will dry out, making them more flammable in the event they come into contact with an electrical spark or flame. In fact, sometimes the heat of electrical lights is enough for the tree to catch fire.
- Choose an artificial tree that's deemed safe or fire resistant. Look for information on the product packaging or labeling about Underwriter's Laboratory approval. If you plan to decorate your tree with electrical lights — or even use candles — it's essential that you choose a fire-resistant tree.
A Real and Present Danger
Not convinced such precautions are necessary? The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) reports that electrical problems are the cause of fires in one out of every three homes that have a holiday tree. One out of every 40 tree fires leads to a death, compared to one death out of every 142 fires that start in homes without trees. One of the primary causes of tree fires is having a heat source positioned too close to the tree.
The USFA also reports that candle fires rise significantly during the holiday season. While 4 percent of home fires start due to a candle during the rest of the year, that number spikes to 11 percent in December. More than half of these fires also start because of placing the candle too close to a flammable object.
What's the bottom line when the holiday season rolls around? Enjoy your usual holiday activities, but use common sense and caution around candles and holiday trees to avoid fire hazards.
Are you worried about your home's electrical wiring? Have you ever had a professional evaluate its safety? Contact Reliable Heating & Air to schedule a home safety consultation. One of our expert electricians will be happy to help!
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