What do the holidays mean to you? Warmth, festivities, and family gatherings come to mind. You might think about watching your favorite Christmas movie with hot chocolate or taking a drive to see Christmas light displays. No one likes to think about the worst, but unfortunately, Christmas Day and Christmas Eve rank second and third as days with the most housefires, following Thanksgiving.
This is according to Michael Wos, Executive Director of the Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin Charitable Foundation. With so many seasonal distractions, it’s crucial to slow down and prioritize safety.
five fire safety tips to keep your home safe this Christmas
1. Check extension cords
The holidays typically require extra lights, cords, and power demands both inside and outside the house. Many fires start when people use things outdoors that aren’t intended for outdoors. Remember to always inspect cords for damage, avoid overloading circuits, and ensure outdoor lights and devices are properly rated for exterior use.
2. Cook with care
Cooking is the leading cause of house fires in Wisconsin. When you’re planning your holiday meal, don’t ever cook a frozen turkey in a deep fryer. The results can be explosive. Remember these cooking safety tips when the kitchen is heating up:
- Keep a lid nearby for grease fires
- Don’t use water on grease flames
- Have a kitchen-rated ABC (multi-purpose) fire extinguisher ready
3. Inspect heating sources
From space heaters to heat lamps, heating equipment needs a pre-season check. It’s recommended to inspect all heat sources and clean dust from outlets and appliances that haven’t been used in months. Never use gas-fired generators or heaters indoors. Not only are they a fire hazard, but you risk carbon monoxide poisoning.
4. Water the tree
The evergreen smell of a real Christmas tree brings warmth to the holidays in your home – just don’t forget to water it! A dry Christmas tree is a significant fire risk. Watering your tree daily prevents it from drying out and becoming highly flammable. Add the task to a smart device to get a daily reminder so you don’t forget.
5. Maintain smoke alarms
Smoke alarms save lives. Follow these smoke alarm safety tips to stay safe from a home fire.
- Check the expiration date – Smoke alarms have a lifespan of up to 10 years.
- Homes should have alarms in every bedroom, within six feet of sleeping areas, and on every floor.
- Sleep with doors closed to create a barrier to slow the spread of fire and smoke.
- If you use any gas-burning appliances, install at least one carbon monoxide detector as well.
Whether you’re cooking Christmas dinner, plugging in those twinkling lights, or warming up the house, these small steps can prevent life-changing emergencies.
People often think a fire won’t happen to them, but taking time to prepare makes a difference. As the number one farm insurance company in Wisconsin, we provide knowledge and insight to help you make the best decisions to protect your farm and way of life. That’s why we go beyond the policy by providing educational content on safety and best practices. Reach out to a local agent to learn more.
