Holiday decorations can increase your risk for a home fire. The National Fire Protection Association urges you to be fire smart when decorating your home for the holidays.
- More than half of the home decoration fires in December are started by candles.
- The top three days for home candle fires are Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
- Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that burns.
- Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur, they are dangerous. On average, one of every 32 reported home Christmas tree fires result in death.
- A heat source too close to the Christmas tree causes one in every four winter fires.
- Make sure your tree is at least three feet away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, candles or heat vents. Also, make sure your tree does not block exits.
- Read manufacturer’s instructions for the number of light strands to connect.
- Get rid of your live tree after Christmas or when it is dry.
