Safety tips to prevent Christmas tree & house fires

11/16/2023 (Permalink)

Christmas isn't Christmas without a tree with lights! But follow these safety tips to prevent a fire!

With Thanksgiving just a week away, Christmas is near and for many, putting up a holiday tree is a post-Thanksgiving ritual!

During the winter holiday season, we notice a pattern of catastrophes, many caused by ovens, stoves and yes, Christmas trees! Due to the business and excitement overload of the holidays, it’s important to keep safety in mind. Set reminders and alarms in your phone to ensure you don’t forget to turn your Christmas tree lights off or to take the cookies out of the oven!

To avoid issues such as a tree fire, house fire, outlet overload, and even electrocution, follow these tips to help keep you & your family safe and happy during this holiday season:

• Water your tree daily! A dry tree can quickly transform into a tree in flames.
• Do not connect more than three strings of lights.
• Got cords? Keep them away from heat sources. Do not nail or staple them either. Placing them under a rug isn’t a safe idea. Neither is completely shutting a door or closing a window with a cord running through it. This is a fire hazard.
• Plugging in too many appliances can overload the outlet. Avoid doing so.
• Before plugging in appliances, lights, yard decorations, etc., make sure your sockets are in good condition and that wires are not bare. Oftentimes, we use these decorations or particular outlets just once a year, so it’s important to carefully inspect them.
• Turn off and unplug any lights before going to sleep or leaving your home. Extinguish any candles before leaving the vicinity.
• Cooking or baking for the holidays? Make sure to stay in the kitchen when doing so.
• Use battery-operated candles instead of candles with actual flames.
• Water and electricity never mix well. Be careful your string lights are not touching or partially in the tree’s water bowl. Make sure you are dry when plugging in outdoor lights!
• It’s cold, but be careful where you place space heaters. They should always be at least 3 feet away from furniture, etc. and even farther from Christmas trees.

Team Gutierrez at SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney and SERVPRO of Silver Spring North wishes our customers and friends a happy & safe holiday season!

For more fire safety tips, check out our website: 

www.SERVPROrockvillesilverspringnorth.com/fire-damage-tips