“Next to a circus there ain’t nothing that packs up and tears out faster than the Christmas spirit.” – Kin Hubbard

This month has several holidays being celebrated like Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa and then into New Year’s Day. With that come lots of parties, presents, feasts and decorations.

According to the US Fire Administration website, the holidays can lead to many home disasters.

  • One of every three home Christmas tree fires is caused by electrical problems.

  • Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur, they are more likely to be serious. On average, one of every 40 reported home structure Christmas tree fires results in a death compared to an average of one death per 142 total reported home structure fires.

  • A heat source too close to the tree causes roughly one in every six of Christmas tree fires.

  • More than half (56%) of home candle fires occur when something that can catch on fire is too close to the candle.

  • December is the peak time of year for home candle fires. In December, 11% of home candle fires began with decorations compared to 4% the rest of the year.

So to avoid disaster at home during the holidays I thought some simple safety tips might help to keep all of our holiday seasons jolly.

  • Keep your tree watered
  • Inspect your lights thoroughly before hanging them up
  • Turn the tree lights off at bedtime or when they are not attended
  • Cut a chunk of the tree stump off to expose fresh wood to the water in your tree stand
  • Make sure that curtains and other possibly flammable items are not near lights or candles
  • Avoid using sharp or breakable holiday decorations. My cats break it and then I walk on it
  • Keep space heaters a safe distance from trees or other flammable items
  • Purchase a fire-resistant tree if you are environmentally friendly
  • Have a fire extinguisher handy at all times and inspect your smoke detectors
  • For Home Fire Safety Tips read this article.
  • Do not connect too many lights to one outlet or extension cord
  • Use a heavyweight cord to run lights
  • Leave cookies and milk out for Santa otherwise he might skip your house
  • Reindeer get hungry too
  • Buy age appropriate gifts for kids as to try to limit their self-destructive, fearless and reckless abandonment to being safe