Ideally, the holidays are a time for joy, fellowship, and relaxation. On the other hand, they can be stressful, costly, and dangerous.
Every festive occasion has its enthusiasts and naysayers. For every Bob Cratchit there’s a cantankerous Mr. Scrooge. But regardless of where you fall on the spectrum of holiday cheer, one thing’s for certain—house fires are more numerous and more damaging throughout the winter months.
So, why do devastating fires pick the happiest time of year to spread throughout American households? The causes probably won’t surprise you, but the steps you can take to avoid costly fires might just ensure a festive holiday season.
Why Are Fires So Common During The Holiday Season?
At Advanced Structural Drying Technologies, it’s our mission to investigate the causes of fires and then—when we’re needed—rescue properties from the aftermath. Smoke damage restoration and emergency board-ups may be part of our job, but that doesn’t mean we enjoy them.
This holiday season, we’re hoping to avoid unnecessary fires in Tennessee homes. If you need emergency fire damage restoration services this season, call us at 615-632-6630.
In the meantime, here’s how you can avoid the worst.
Top 3 Causes of Holiday Fires & How to Avoid Them
Cause 1 - Decorations & Electrical Fires
In the dark of winter, nothing says “hope for the future” like dazzling string lights. For many, holiday decorations are the reason for the season. From lavishly appointed Christmas trees to inflatable lawn characters, our holiday decor holds a special place in our hearts. Unfortunately, they also contribute to fires.
Some homeowners get so excited to decorate that they cut corners with surge protectors or overload outlets. Others may get a little trigger happy with the staple gun. Harmless as it may seem, the outcomes of slapdash decorating can be heart wrenching.
What You Can Do About It
To give yourself the merriest of holidays, there are a few simple steps you can take to avoid the worst. From buying better lights to being vigilant about where you place decorations, these top tips can keep the cheer rolling:
- Purchase lights specifically rated for their placement (indoors/outdoors)
- Secure lights with clips rather than staples, which can puncture wires
- Check old lights for tears, frayed wires, & blown or dead bulbs
- Never plug one surge protector into another
Smart electrical practices can save you and your family from devastation this holiday season. Don’t gamble your festivities on careless decorating.
Cause 2 - Holiday Cooking
In normal circumstances, our abilities in the kitchen differ drastically. Some of us pride ourselves on knifework, sauteing, roasting, and even deep frying. Others have no business wielding vegetable peelers. Regardless of how comfortable you are in a kitchen, there’s no denying that cooking for the holidays is capital “S” Stressful.
Add up the stress, the differing skill levels, the amount of cooking, and the amount of hosting we have to do during the holidays and you have the perfect recipe for house fires. So, how can we prevent them?
What You Can Do About It
The simplest way to prevent cooking fires is: don’t leave cooking unattended. But even that may not be enough to avoid the worst. Let your holiday feast shine this year by taking the following measures:
- Set loud timers & remain within earshot
- Double-check your smoke detectors & their batteries
- Purchase a fire extinguisher & learn how to use it
- Remove all flammable objects around the stove & stovetop
- Remove obstacles from the kitchen floor
- Ask family or friends to watch or help
If you’re cooking this year’s feast, don’t be afraid to tag in a relative or friend. You’re already feeding everyone. You don’t have to be solely responsible for safety.
Cause 3 - Open Flames
As much as we enjoy string lights, there’s nothing quite like a candle or roaring fireplace to warm our gatherings and our hearts. But every wick or log we light is a responsibility. Open flames are a leading cause of holiday house fires for obvious reasons. We set the mood and then forget about it, neglecting fires we forgot we started.
Too often, we place candles and decorations too near each other or too near a roaring fireplace. Even a dry Christmas tree can pose a serious threat. But with a little bit of vigilance and careful planning, you can avoid the worst.
What You Can Do About It
Candles, garlands, ribbons, and even decorative branches all go together to create your tablescape or winter wonderland. But just because they were stored in the same plastic bin in your attic doesn’t mean they belong side by side throughout your household.
When decorating, try to:
- Ensure that no decorations hang too far from the mantle toward the fireplace
- Space candles at least one foot away from anything flammable
- Water your tree daily to keep it moist
- Position your tree several feet away from heat sources on all sides
- Use a fire screen to contain burning logs or gas fireplaces
- Monitor candles & refrain from lighting too many at one time
We can enjoy open flames without also increasing our risk of devastating fires or lingering smoke damage. All it takes is a little consideration.
Happy Holidays from Advanced Structural Drying Technologies!
As Tennessee’s trusted fire damage restoration company, we wish you and yours all the happiness and cheer this holiday season! But with that sincere wish comes an equally sincere warning: please, take steps to avoid fires in your home.
House fires are put out with fire hoses, leading to extensive water damage in the affected areas. On top of fire damage and smoke damage, you may also need structural drying and mold remediation—all because a decorative ribbon hung too close to a candle.
Let’s keep this season merry and bright! If anything happens, call Advanced Structural Drying Technologies at 615-632-6630 or contact us online.
Happy Holidays From Tennessee's Fire Damage Restoration Company!
Decorations, cooking, and open flames all pose risks. But that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy them. With careful planning, foresight, and vigilance, we enjoy our holidays to the fullest without incident or accident. If anything happens during your holidays, call Advanced Structural Drying Technologies at 615-632-6630 or contact us online. Our fire damage cleanup, deodorization, and temporary board-ups can save your properties and your holidays.
