It’s that time of the year when we all start to decorate our Christmas tree, putting up beautiful lights around our homes, and making the holidays the most special time of the year. Christmas decorations near a fireplace, a dry Christmas tree and frayed light cords are all fire hazards to watch out for during the holidays. Before you start decorating your house, make sure you follow the necessary holiday fire safety tips to reduce the risk of injuries and property damage.
Fires caused by Christmas trees have more severe consequences than other types of house fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, one of every 52 home fires caused by a Christmas tree resulted in a death, compared to the average of one fatality per 135 home fires.
Nevada Ranked Among Top 10 States with the Lowest Fire Death Rate
2017 data from the National Fire Protection Association estimates that these are the top 10 states with the lowest rates of fire fatalities per million population.
1. New Jersey
2. Connecticut
3. California
4. Massachusetts
5. Nevada
6. Florida
7. New Hampshire*
8. Idaho*
9. Texas
10. Nebraska*
States with the highest rate of fire fatalities include:
1. West Virginia
2. Alaska
3. Arkansas
4. South Dakota*
5. Louisiana
6. Tennessee
7. Iowa
8. Mississippi
9. District of Columbia*
10. Vermont*
*Rates with less than 20 total fire fatalities are considered highly variable, according to NFPA.
How can we prevent holiday fires?
Not only could holiday fire accidents cause serious personal injuries but they could result in significant property damages. Placing decorations and Christmas trees in a safe location away from heat sources can prevent a tragedy from ruining your festivities. Keep these holiday fire safety tips in mind when you’re decorating your home this year.
Place decorations away from heat sources
Although you may be thinking of putting your tree next to the fireplace and create the perfect background to your holiday picture, placing trees near heat sources can be dangerous. Place your tree and decorations away from heat sources like radiators, fireplaces, heat vents or candles. Avoid lighting candles near a Christmas tree, near lampshades, curtains or anything that could catch on fire.
Install the correct type of lights
If you’re going to hang lights outside your home, make sure they are labeled as outdoor lights. Outdoor lights have a thicker insulation that makes them more resistant to the elements than indoor lights. Make sure you replace any broken light bulbs before hanging them up and throw away any lights with frayed wires. Don’t overload a Christmas tree with too many lights, when the tree starts to dry you may risk overheating it and causing a fire.
Buy fresh natural trees and safety certified artificial trees
When looking at what Christmas tree to buy, look for a tree that is still fresh with vibrant green needles. Don’t purchase a tree if you see that it’s starting to shed its needles, look for one that the needles are hard to pluck and its branches don’t break off easily. If you’re purchasing an artificial tree with built-in lights, look for one with a UL tag, this means that it has passed UL’s safety standards. If a faulty product caused a fire in your home resulting in injuries or property damage, consult with a personal injury and product liability attorney in Las Vegas to see if you have a case against a product manufacturer.
Don’t attach multiple cords together
Don’t connect multiple short cords together, this could cause the extensions to overheat. Invest in a longer extension cord if needed.
Turn the lights off
Don’t forget to turn off your tree and light decorations every time you go to bed or leave the house. Even LED lights could potentially start a holiday fire if left unattended for too long.
Water your tree
Keep your tree looking green and fresh for a longer time by adding water to the tree stand daily. Keeping the tree base filled with water will prevent the tree from drying too fast; dry trees can catch on fire more easily and quickly than fresh trees.
To keep the celebrations jolly and prevent a Christmas fire, follow these holiday fire safety tips!