Preventing Holiday Fires
We love to hang the stockings by the chimney with care. But let’s be mindful that they don’t go up in flames. I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer. It is heart-breaking when we learn of fires occurring in our community. The home is a place where sweet memories are made with those we hold so dear. There have been three home fires resulting in death in a little over one week. Heating equipment is one of the leading causes of fires that occur in homes. Nearly two-thirds of home heating fatalities are caused by portable space heating units. We must be so careful with these devices. Equally important, is to become fire safe while decorating for the holidays.
Chrismas Tree Safety
Preventing holiday fires may begin here:
- 3 Feet Rule – Keep your beautiful Christmas Tree at least three feet away from candles, fireplaces, space heaters, heat vents and from any heat sources.
- 3 Strand Limit – Connect three strands or less of miniature light strands to your tree.
- 50 screw in bulbs – Connect 50 or less screw in bulbs to your larger trees.
- Get rid of the Christmas Tree the day after Christmas, or sooner if it dries out.
- Check water basin daily and refill as needed.
Please watch this Youtube Holiday Fire Safety Video from our friends at FEMA.
Facts about home holiday fires
- One out of three house Christmas tree fires are traced back to electrical issues.
- Even though Christmas tree fires are not all too common, when they do happen, they are many times more likely to be serious.
- One in six Christmas tree fires happen as a result of the tree being too close to a heat source.
- Over half of all house candle fires happen when something that can catch fire is located too close to a candle.
- The holiday season is the worse time of year for house candle fires. Especially, the month of December.
Preventing holiday fires begin with each one of us taking a moment out of our busy lifestyles to become fire smart.
The Edward A Smith Law Offices reminds citizens to take a moment right now in preventing holiday fires:
- Be sure you have working smoke detectors in the home.
- Practice a fire escape plan with your loved ones.
Ed Smith is a Sacramento Personal Injury Attorney. If you or someone you love has suffered a serious injury, please call now at (916) 921-6400. If you reside outside the Sacramento area, call me at (800) 404-5400 toll-free for fast, friendly advice now.
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Image Attribution: By (none listed), author Clement C. Moore (1779-1863), publishers Charles E. Graham & Co. [In the Public Domain], via Wikimedia Commons