Holiday Safety Tips

While we move into the holiday season, take a look at some safety tips that can help make it the safest season possible.   Please call us if you have questions about anything not addressed here.

Heating Systems - If you haven't had your heating system and chimney serviced and inspected yet, make a call to your service technicians.

Artificial Christmas Trees - We recommend artificial trees in your home.  Artificial trees are much less likely to start a fire and do not spread fire nearly as quickly as live trees.  If you purchase a pre-lighted tree, make sure it carries a UL or equivalent listing.  These have been tested in safety laboratories to ensure fire and electrical safety standards are met.

Natural Christmas Trees - If you must use a live tree, keep it as far as possible from heat sources such as fireplaces or heat vents. Heat from these sources will cause your tree to dry out much more quickly and they can catch your tree on fire from heat, flame or sparks. Keep water in your tree's reservoir to keep it from drying out and remove natural trees as soon as they do dry out.

Holiday Lights and Decorations - Check your lights each year for wires that are worn out, cracked or have bare spots on the insulation. Purchase lights and electrical decorations that are rated by UL or an equivalent safety laboratory. Make sure that you don’t overload extension cords. Plug your lights into a power strip before plugging the strip into an outlet. Turn your lights and decorations off when leaving a room.

Candles - Avoid using lit candles. According to the National Candle Association, candles start more than 15,000 fires each year. If you must use candles, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they are unlikely to be knocked over, starting a fire. Keep small children and pets away from candles. Extinguish candles when leaving a room. Never leave your home with candles lit.

Holiday Cooking - Our holiday meals are a great time for sharing and catching up with friends and family, but it’s easy to become distracted from food on the stove and in the oven. Make sure that someone is “captain” of the kitchen and remains on watch. Keep small children and pets away from a hot stove.

Fireplace Ash Disposal Tips Click here for information

As always, prepare for the worst by having operating smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. We will be happy to provide smoke alarms if you don't have one and will install them without charge.  Please call us at 393-8689 or request one via the website here.

Have a happy holiday season and STAY SAFE!

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