1. Keep Open Flames ContainedThis time of year, there are many important traditions that require natural lit flames. Menorahs, kinaras, prayer candles, and fireplaces are all staples of the season. But with each important firelight comes a risk for home safety. Whether you’re lighting a fire to roast chestnuts or keeping holiday candles lit in the window, all open flames need to be carefully watched and monitored.Make sure that any candle settings you have are placed on a stable counter or table and are kept uncrowded by other decorations or gifts. They should be kept out of reach of young children and family pets who might knock over any flames on accident, and despite important traditions, it is not advised that any candles be left unattended overnight. If you do need to keep candles lit overnight, then make sure your candles are kept in a place without anything flammable around it. The U.S. Fire Administration advises keeping all candles at least 12 inches away from flammable items, this includes floor rugs and carpeting or wooden tables.If your kitchen has tile or linoleum flooring which do not catch fire, and counter-tops which are also flame resistant, then consider keeping your candles in the kitchen for safety. Especially important cultural candles which need to stay lit for long periods of time.Fireplaces, on the other hand, need to be monitored very carefully. Protective screens and grates should be used, to keep ash and embers from falling out, and fireplaces should never be left on unattended. All decorations should be kept away from the fireplace as well, at least 12 inches, to ensure they won’t catch fire.

2. Avoid Dry Trees

While holiday tree fires are not exceedingly common, when they happen, they are often made worse by trees which are dry or highly flammable. If you have a live tree in your home, then make sure you keep it properly watered. Maintaining your tree’s water pot will keep it thriving and hydrated throughout the holiday season, which will make it less flammable to any electrical sparks or flames.Artificial trees, on the other hand, cannot be watered. But, it is important for families to check the labeling and tags on their reusable artificial trees. Those properly marked as fire resistant are best for home use and are considered safer for the holidays. Look into getting fire detector tree ornaments to help make sure your risks of an unexpected tree-fire are low.

3. Organize Your Electricals

Electrical fires are often a bigger risk for homes than fires caused by candle flames or fireplaces. String lights and plug-in decorations are popular this time of year, and for families who like to go all-out with festive lights, they need to be careful. Watch how many devices or decorations you have plugged into each outlet. Utilizing spacious power-strips can help you to keep your outlets organized, but be careful! Too many of these can overwhelm your wall outlets and increase the chance of overheating electrical devices. Some electrical devices, like space heaters, shouldn’t be plugged into power strips since they generate so much extra heat and power. Another important factor is to make sure your outlets are not being covered up by decorations, gifts, of a holiday tree. Stifling outlets can make them overheat and increase the risk of house fires.Lots of plug-in décor is not the only cause of electrical fires, though. Sometimes, a house’s wiring is old and even plugging in a few strings of light can cause a spark. Make sure your home is checked regularly for proper wiring. Especially for families with lots of lighted decorations or those who have moved into a new home recently. Having an electrician inspect and repair any issues with your home’s electrical wiring can create a strong, safe foundation for your holidays. Keeping your house fire safe for the holidays can be pretty simple. Keeping flames away from anything that might ignite, watering your holiday trees properly, and maintaining safe electrical outlets are three of the best ways to avoid household fires this time of year. Wylie ER supports all of our local families during the holiday season and encourages everyone to go through your home and check for any fire hazards. In the case of medical emergencies, our facility is open 24/7 with concierge-level care for all ages.
Nutex Health, Inc supports you and your family’s health. You can depend on Wylie Emergency Room or any one of our concierge-level, freestanding emergency facilities to deliver the emergency care you deserve, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. ]]>

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