Safely Decorating Your Home to Prevent Fires | SERVPRO of Marietta West

12/21/2022 (Permalink)

Do let fire damage ruin your holiday season by taking SERVPRO's fire safety tips to heart. SERVPRO is here 24/7 to help if you experience a fire loss.

Imagine it—the soft glow of strung holiday lights combined with the smooth tones of your favorite winter songs. This time of year is mesmerizing, but it can also cause an increase in home fires when the setup is done incorrectly.

Georgia is not the first thought when someone talks about a winter/holiday atmosphere, but we don’t care, we love how the temperature gets just cold enough to chill but not enough to kill! Additionally, we have plenty of holiday activities like the Georgia Holiday Festival of Vendors and the Atlanta New Years Party to keep our spirits high.

These things make the holidays wonderful, but going out can leave your home unprotected if you haven’t taken preventive measures. Following proper decoration safety procedures can keep your spirits lifted and your home’s protection even higher.

Top Seasonal Hazards

• United States fire departments respond to approximately 790 structural fires a year that began due to holiday decorations. Placing these items too close to heating sources is a major cause of the fires.
• Christmas trees and candles can also be dangerous, but having your artificial tree certified as fire-resistant is a start. Real trees need constant water and cleaning to ensure no flammable needles collect beneath.

Take Preventive Measures

“The stocking were hung by the chimney with care” is more than just a beautifully written line, it’s a way to act with all decoration activities.

Candles are the source of an average of 20 house fires a day, so keep an eye on these items. Additionally, inspect your fireplace annually to check for a buildup of grime.

Ensure that any outdoor decorations are certified for that type of use, and hang them all appropriately with insulated, weather-resistant nails. Pay attention to local guidelines to be positive that you are following the rules as instructed.

Testing your smoke detectors regularly and installing one in every bedroom and floor of the home can help you stay safer, too. Practicing a fire safety plan is another great idea, as is putting SERVPRO of Marietta West in your contacts. That way, you can contact us immediately when a fire strikes your home.

Have smoke or fire damage in your house? Contact us today to get cleaned up fast.