With the holiday season in full swing, the last thing you need to deal with is an accidental fire. However, according to statistics from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), holiday decorations other than Christmas trees played a role in an average of 800 residential fires reported each year, from 2012 – 2016, and these fires resulted in two deaths, 34 injuries, and $11 million in property damage. The majority of these fires could have been prevented by decorating with fire safety practices in mind. At All Seasons Chimney, we place a high priority on keeping families in the lower Hudson Valley area safe from fire hazards, which is why we would like to remind you of a few holiday fire safety tips.
KEEP DECORATIONS AWAY FROM HEAT SOURCES
Although it is a tradition to hang stockings in front of the fireplace, the NFPA warns that 42 percent of the holiday fires mentioned above are caused by decorations being too close to a heat source, including candles and fireplaces. If you love the look of your stockings hanging from the mantel, you should always move them to an alternate spot whenever you light a fire in the fireplace to avoid this accidental fire risk.
NEVER BURN TRASH IN YOUR FIREPLACE
Many people believe it is okay to toss discarded holiday wrapping paper into the fireplace, but the dyes that are used in this paper can cause dangerous flash fires that can quickly become out of control. To be safe, you should always only burn seasoned firewood in your fireplace.
DISCARD BROKEN STRANDS OF LIGHTS
When a Christmas tree starts an accidental fire, the death rate is typically higher. According to the NFPA, one out of every 45 accidental fires caused by a Christmas tree results in a death, compared to the average of one death per 139 total fires. This is because of how quickly these fires can spread. Many of these fires are started by an electrical issue with a light strand, which is why you should always discard a broken strand of lights.
Preventing holiday fires is easy when you remember to follow certain safety precautions when decorating. All Seasons Chimney wishes you and your family a happy and safe holiday season. Don’t hesitate to contact us for any of your professional chimney maintenance, repair, and installation needs.