Here are some of the fire precautions you should take this holiday season.
While homeowners should always watch out for fire risks, they need to be especially careful during the holidays. During this time of year, your home’s fire risks increase exponentially. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect your home. Take these precautions to reduce your fire risk this holiday season.
- Cooking Safety
As you prepare for your upcoming holiday parties and meals, make sure you are practicing fire safety. The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) reports cooking as the top cause of holiday fires. These fires often occur when homeowners forget about the food they have left in the oven or on the stove. Another common cause of cooking fires is leaving flammable items near the heat of the stove. So, to reduce your risk for a holiday cooking fire, stay vigilant and do not leave your kitchen unattended during the cooking process.
- Candle Safety
According to the National Fire Protection Association, the incidence of fire caused by candles is four times higher in December than it is during any other time of the year. The best way to avoid a house fire is by not lighting candles inside your home. However, if you must use candles, make sure to remove anything flammable within a foot radius of the candle. Additionally, ensure that your candles are placed on sturdy surfaces. Finally, never leave your home or go to bed without extinguishing all the candles inside your home.
- Decorating Safety
Finally, using decorative string lights can also increase your home’s risk for fire. Before you hang up any lights, make sure they don’t have any frayed cords, exposed wires, or damaged bulbs. Additionally, avoid plugging more than three strings into the same extension cord or power strip, as this could also increase your chances of starting a fire. Finally, check all your lights and cords to ensure that you are using the right ones for outdoor and indoor use respectively. Using the proper equipment will ensure that your decorations do not spark a fire this holiday season.
These are some of the precautionary measures you should take to protect your home against fire this holiday season. Want another way to keep your home safe? Make sure you have the right homeowners insurance protection in place. For assistance with your coverage needs, contact the experts at Phocus Insurance in Phoenix, Arizona. We are ready to assist you with all your coverage needs today.
