How Do I Safely Decorate For Christmas?

12/9/2020 (Permalink)

Decorating for the holidays is always an exciting experience especially if there are children to help hang ornaments and other seasonal items around your home. Lighting candles is one way to create an inviting and warm environment for the entire family to enjoy all season long. Producing a cheerful spirit however may lead to unattended consequences if you don’t take the necessary precautions. Christmas is the peak day for candle fires according to the National Fire Protection Association. 

It’s a delicate balance between creating an elegant Christmas Display while also reducing the risk posed by children who are more likely to not be as careful around flammable objects. On average, 21 home fires are reported each that were caused by lit candles. A third of candle fires began in a bedroom where they can quickly spread to other parts of a home. To help keep everyone safe this winter remember to keep lit candles at least 12 inches away from other flammable objects. Most importantly Christmas Trees where children will more than likely be playing and shaking their gifts to guest what’s inside. 

Along with keeping lit candles a safe distance from flammable objects consider utilizing battery-operated candles. Flameless candles provide a mitigated fire risk compared to lit candles. Remember to also blow out any lit candles before you leave a room or go to sleep. It’s the equivalent of leaving the fireplace unattended which is highly discouraged. 

Apply this advice when decorating your home this holiday season to help protect your home from the potential fire hazard of lit candles. During this time of year, many offices close for several weeks, and employees take time off. Here at SERVPRO of Burlington however understand that when a homeowner experiences a house fire. Whether limited to one room or has engulfed much of the structure calling a fire cleanup and restoration crew to mitigate the damage is critical. 

Smoke damage can layer a house with soot and a foul odor rendering the home unlivable. Our team of fire damage mitigation and remediation experts can reach you in any part of Alamance County from Elon in the west to Mebane in the east granting us the ability to best serve you in your time of need. 

If your home or business is in need of our services whether for fire, water, or mold damage; perhaps even deep cleaning services, call the experts today – SERVPRO of Burlington, (336) 229-1156.

References 

https://www.nfpa.org/candles 

https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/winter-holiday-fires-infographic.pdf