Although the holidays are supposed to be a time of joy, the season also brings increased potential fire dangers to the home and its inhabitants, said Texas A&M AgriLife experts.
“Fires are among the most common home-related dangers to be aware of during the holidays,” said Joyce Cavanagh, Ph.D., Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service disaster assessment and recovery specialist, Bryan-College Station.
The National Fire Protection Association, NFPA, has identified Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year’s Day as the three days of the year when most candle fires occur.
Cause one: Open flames and lit candles “Candle fires, electrical fires and cooking fires are the types of fires that frequently occur during the holidays,” Cavanagh said.
Some tips to help avoid candle and electrical fires are: Keep candles at least 1 foot away from flammable items or surfaces.
— Do not put candles directly on surfaces. Use a sturdy candle holder with a drip plate for wax.
— Blow out candles when you leave the home or go to bed. Avoid using candles in the bedroom or other rooms in which people may fall asleep.
— Replace candles before they burn all the way down or before the flame gets too close to the holder or bottom of the container.
— Keep lit candles in sight and away from any areas where they may possibly be knocked over.
— When decorating, use electric lights that have been tested by an independent testing laboratory and replace old or worn-out lights.
“In the event of a power outage, use flashlights or other battery-powered lighting as opposed to candles,” Cavanagh said.
Cause two: Christmas trees and electrical wiring Christmas tree fires are rare, but when they do occur, they can be deadly, according to NFPA. They also have the potential to do serious damage to the home or cause injury to those inside.
“Electrical problems are the primary cause of about half of all Christmas tree fires,” said Karen Stafford, Texas A&M Forest Service statewide prevention coordinator, Lufkin. Stafford said some tips for avoiding Christmas tree fires include: — If using a live Christmas tree, select one with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.
“Make sure there is always water in the tree-stand reservoir,” Stafford said. “A well-watered tree burns at a much slower rate compared to a dried-out tree, which can burn up completely in very short time.”
— If purchasing an artificial tree, choose one labeled “fire-resistant.”
— Use Christmas tree lights that are Underwriters Laboratory-rated or otherwise independently tested interior lights.