Christmas Tree Fire Facts - Dearborn Free Press

DEARBORN HEIGHTS, MI ? The approaching holiday season brings traditions, parties, shopping, entertaining ? and potential danger,?according to Jeffrey Whitmarsh of SERVPRO?of Dearborn Heights.

Christmas Tree Fires Burn Quickly

The latest statistics available from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) show?the holidays are a high-risk time for home fires. Christmas trees are responsible for 240?home fires each year, and other holiday decorations are the cause of another 1,170 fires.

Thanksgiving Day sees almost a threefold increase in cooking-related fires; ?cooking fires?are almost twice as likely to happen on Christmas Day as on non-holidays.

?No one wants to think about the possibility of losing their home, and even more?tragically, lives because of a fire during the holidays,? said Whitmarsh. ?But statistics?show, it?s important to be aware of the increased risk seasonal decorating, entertaining?and cooking can cause during the holidays.?

Whitmarsh reminds Dearborn Heights residents that prevention and common sense can?help keep homes and families safe during the holidays and throughout the year. Here are?some sobering facts about holiday fires and tips to help keep your home, friends and?family safe throughout the holiday season.

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Christmas Tree Fire Facts

• 33% of tree fires are caused by electrical problems; 13% involve decorative?lights. Check wiring on lights for breaks and wear. Replace worn strings and don?t?exceed manufacturer guidelines for connecting multiple strands of lights. Don?t leave?tree lights plugged in when you are away from home or when you go to bed.
• 42% occur on the 12 days from December 23 through January 3. Keep live trees?well watered to reduce the chance of a fire.

Holiday Decoration Fire Facts

• 45% of all holiday fires involve candles; that number rises to 56% in December.?Use flameless candles. If you do use traditional candles, burn them in sturdy?candle holders, well away from drapes and other flammable materials, and never?leave them unattended or allow them to burn down to less than one inch in length.
• 48% of all decoration fires start because the decoration is too close to a heat?source. Keep all decorations away from heat sources like radiators, portable heaters,?fireplaces, etc.

Cooking Fire Facts

• Cooking fires on Thanksgiving Day exceed the daily average by 272%. Supervise?items on the stovetop. ?58% of kitchen fires involve ranges; homes with electric?cooktops have a higher risk of fire than homes with gas cooktops.
• Cooking fires on Christmas Day and Christmas Eve exceed the daily average by?96% and 89% respectively. Keep flammable items ? potholders, packaging,?wrapping, wooden utensils, loose clothing ? away from the stovetop. And, don?t let?lack of sleep or alcohol consumption affect your ability to concentrate on preparing?the meal.

?It only takes a moment?s distraction or carelessness to turn a holiday celebration into a?catastrophe,? said Whitmarsh. ?We hope these tips will be a reminder to Dearborn and Dearborn Heights area families to make fire prevention a priority in their holiday preparations, so?they can spend the season enjoying family and friends, not dealing with the aftermath of a?fire.?

For more fire prevention tips and information about fire and water damage restoration?services, contact Jeffrey Whitmarsh with SERVPRO??of Dearborn Heights North / East?Garden City at (313) 228-5134 or servpro9764@aol.com.

Source: http://www.dearbornfreepress.com/2012/11/29/12949/

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