31/12/2024
Winter holidays are a cherished time to enjoy festive celebrations, cozy snowfalls and delicious feasts with family and friends.
They also present fire risks in the household that can quickly develop into disastrous results. Fortunately, simple and effective measures can maintain fire safety without affecting the festive mood.
Cooking Fires
Cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires; while holiday dinners bring family and friends together and are a great bonding activity, care must be taken to accommodate the increased number of chefs in the kitchen and the distractions they may create.
- Operating the stove or stovetop is a serious responsibility, sleepiness or alcohol-use may negatively affect the attention span required to operate it safely.
- While cooking utensils are actively being used (like stoves, ovens, etc.), they need to be checked regularly, ideally remaining in the kitchen throughout the cooking process. Short leaves must be accompanied by a timer, reminding to prevent food loss or potential fires. Leaving the home must be out of the question while cooking utensils are active.
- It’s a good idea to be informed and prepared against potential kitchen fires, especially taking precautions to deal with oil fires.
Decorations
Flickering lights and vibrant colors are hallmarks of winter decorations. Protect your creativity with the following tips:
- Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant. If not possible, consider the placement of risky decorations away from potential sources of heat and electricity.
- Ensure that your lights are built correctly for your intended placement. Outdoor and indoor lights are built according to different specifications, hence using incompatible products outdoors might cause electrical damage or fire risks.
- Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when installing lighting systems. Use non-damaging fixture equipment during installation.
- Worn or broken cords and loose connections present electrical hazards and must be replaced immediately.
- Live Christmas trees must be cut 2” from the base of the trunk before placing in a stand and must be watered in the stand daily.
- The Christmas tree must be placed at least one meter (three feet) away from any heat source.
- Christmas tree decorations must be turned off before leaving the home or sleeping. Electrical heaters and other types of mobile heating elements must be turned off and unplugged before going to sleep.
- Candles must be blown out when leaving the room or before going to sleep. They must never be left unattended.
- Candles must be kept at least 30 cm (one foot) away from any flammable object.
- Never leave matches, lighters or any kind of ignition device unattended or within the reach of small children.
Efectis Group wishes everyone a happy holiday season!