Staying Safe During Holidays
December is officially here and with it comes excitement for all things merry and bright.
With cooler temperatures, homes all across New England will begin using their fireplaces, preparing for snow fall, and hopefully finding time to bake some sweet treats. The winter is also a time when safety becomes a heightened concern. Below we are sharing common safety risks and how you can be vigilant so you and your family can continue enjoying the most wonderful time of the year.
Holiday Candles
Along with the scent of Christmas pine or the aroma of gingerbread, holiday candles have become an essential for cozy winter nights. Candles are also easy to forget and can cause dangerous house fires. The National Fire Protection Agency published a report revealing that the month of December is when candle fires are most common, followed by the month of January. Here are a few reminders to keep you safe and enjoying holiday candles responsibly:
Keep Candles in Shared Spaces
One-third of candle fires start in bedrooms. By keeping candles in shared spaces, family members can keep an eye on lit candles and make sure they are blown out. In the bedroom, there are typically more flammable materials like bedding, blankets, carpet, and curtains, also.
Clean and Uncluttered Surfaces
Enjoying candles responsibly means being mindful of where candles are placed around the home. It is important to keep candles on clean and uncluttered surfaces where the candle can remain upright and is away from combustible materials and objects.
Only Burn Candles While Awake and Present
Make a family rule to only burn candles when family members are awake and present. Leaving candles burning while running an errand or taking a nap allows for potential accidents to become devastating disasters.Eleven percent of candle fires occurred because an individual fell asleep while a candle was burning.
Decorations
Christmas trees and holiday lights are beautiful accents to homes during the holiday season, and they can also be the leading cause of thousands of emergency room visits and house fires. Decorate safely by following these tips suggested by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission:
Place Christmas Trees 3+ Feet from Fireplaces
Whether you are getting a real Christmas tree or an artificial one, these big decorations can combust quickly when close to fireplaces or other sources of heat. If you do purchase an artificial tree, make sure it is fire resistant.
Turn Lights Off When Leaving Home
Holiday lights, whether on the tree, indoors, or outside, can short and start a fire. Keeping a general rule of turning off lights when leaving home prevents the possibility of electrical fires.
Smoke Detectors
Before decorating your home, take a moment to check the batteries of the smoke detectors. Working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors bring an extra level of comfort to the home and ensure your family is alert to danger before potential disaster strikes.
Cooking and Baking
Holiday cookies, apple pie, ham, mashed potatoes…the list of holiday food is long and tasty. The leading cause of home fires are cooking and baking accidents. The American Red Cross shared informative preventative measures including:
Timers Can Be Life Savers
Setting timers while cooking and baking are not only helpful for keeping food tasty, but also to prevent fires. In this day and age, multiple timers can be set using the microwave, oven, and mobile devices.
Check Burners Often
When many dishes are being prepared, multiple burners are likely in use. Keep an eye on burners and continuously check that those no longer in use are turned off.
From our family at Total Temperature Control to yours, happy holidays!
Plus, you’re always welcome to contact the trusted heating, cooling, and air quality experts at Total Temperature Control.
Whether you need 24-7 emergency service or a solution to improve your indoor comfort—at home and at work—call us at 781-224-2400 or submit a convenient contact form.
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