Residential Fires/ Christmas

12/3/2019 (Permalink)

Residential Fires/ Christmas

12/3/2019

SERVPRO of Coeur d’Alene has important safety information to help make sure the holiday season is a safe one for you and your family!

The sight of flickering lights and the ever-ready winter greens are “today’s hallmark” for the holiday season. These “hallmarks” can present some serious fire hazards that can quickly turn into a devastating situation. It is important for SERVPRO of Coeur d’Alene to offer information to help everyone safely enjoy this season!

“Fire Facts” for the Winter Holiday Season:

• Distribute lighting equipment evenly and sparingly. Try not to overload your extension cords. Lighting equipment was involved in more than two of every five (44%) homes. Christmas tree fires is a high risk for house fires!
• Two of every five (39%) home Christmas tree fires tend to start in the family living room. Five percent are due to chimney or flue issues. One-fifth (21%) of Christmas decoration fires start in kitchens. Sixteen percent start in the living room, family room and/or the family den.
• Almost three of every five (57%) December home decoration fires were started by a candle, compared to one-third (32%) of fires in January to November.

Christmas Tree Fires/ Decorations:

Being careful to decorate your home can help make your holiday much safer. Between 2013-2017, U.S. fire departments responded to home fires that started with Christmas trees! These numbers reached the upper hundreds! U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 780 home structure fires per year! These fires began with decorations, excluding fires from Christmas trees.

SERVPRO of Coeur d’Alene wants you to be aware that the disposal of a Christmas Tree is just as important to remember as keeping it up and away from hazards!

Christmas Tree Disposal:
Christmas trees are beautiful, but they are “combustible” items. These items become increasingly flammable as they continue to dry out in your home over the holiday season. More than one-quarter (29%) of home fires that begin with Christmas trees tend to occur in the month of January. Although Christmas tree fires are not the most common, when they do occur, they’re much more likely to be serious hazard.

If you are affected by a Christmas Tree or Decoration Fire, please call us directly at 208-457-1234.

SERVPRO OF Coeur d’Alene