Learn the Fundamentals of Safe Holiday Decorating | SERVPRO® of New Center/Highland Park

There is so much to look forward to when the holiday season rolls around. Stunning light displays, delicious home-cooked meals and familiar holiday tunes are just a few things that help us get festive. While this time of year can feel safe and comforting, though, house fires are at an all-time high.

Keeping your loved ones safe this year will allow you to relax and enjoy our community holiday happenings. In Highland Park, nearby events like ice skating at Campus Martius Park and the Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo make getting into the holiday spirit easy.

Prioritizing safety when decorating this year can help you avoid a holiday fire disaster. Here’s how to avoid flames, safeguard your loved ones and relax during this special time of year.

Top Seasonal Hazards

In the United States, fire departments report 790 fires a year sparked as a result of holiday decor.

Decorations coming into contact with heat sources like fireplaces or space heaters were the cause of many of these fires. Christmas trees and candles are two other ways you might discover a fire inside your home this winter.

If your family decorates a real tree, make sure to keep it watered and dispose of any fallen needles. If you go for the artificial alternative, ensure it’s fire-resistant by checking the box or looking for a tag. To avoid overheating, unplug or turn off all of your lights or decorations when you aren’t using them.

Take Preventive Measures

“The stockings were hung by the chimney with care” is more than a recognizable Christmas line. You can use that motto to avoid starting a fire by keeping your decorations away from open flames.

Candles ignite around 20 house fires every day, so keep them on a sturdy surface away from anything that could catch fire. If you use a fireplace to keep warm during this frigid season, make sure to have it cleaned and inspected before lighting that firewood.

Outdoor decorations should only be used outside. To prevent fires from falling lights, ensure they are firmly fastened with insulated nails created to endure severe weather. To ensure you are decorating to your community standards, you should also adhere to any local regulations that are in place.

Smoke alarms in every bedroom will be a tremendous help in controlling a fire emergency if one breaks out. Make sure to go over these safety essentials with your loved ones, and contact SERVPRO if your home is damaged by flames this holiday season.

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