There’s A Real Need for Holiday Safety

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The holidays may be the most joyous time of year, but statistics show that they’re also the most potentially dangerous time for home fires and injuries. Christmas trees and other decorations are a major cause of both fires and injuries, explains Rick Coons, CEO at Indiana Electric Cooperatives.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, 38 percent of home fire deaths occur in December, January, and February. In addition, the U.S. Fire Administration reports that holiday fires tend to be much more damaging than fires during the rest of the year.

The most damaging fires are those related to Christmas trees and other holiday decorations. “The experts tell us that those fires cause twice as many injuries and five times as many deaths per fire as other types of winter fires,” Coons notes. Every winter, about 260 homes suffer fires that begin with Christmas trees, causing more than $16 million in property damage. Another $19 million in damage is caused by fires that begin with other decorations.

“Candles were the cause of 45 percent of fires that started with decorations,” Coons adds. “The top three days for fires caused by candles are Christmas, Christmas Eve, and New Year’s Day.”

Holiday decorations create other types of problems, too. On average, hospital emergency rooms treat nearly 6,000 people each holiday season for falls suffered when decorating their homes. Another 4,000 suffer injuries related to extension cords. Half of those injuries result when people trip over cords.

“Decorating is a big part of the holiday season for many Hoosier families, but it doesn’t have to be dangerous,” notes Coons. Following common-sense safety practices like these can keep you from becoming a statistic:

  • Keep your use of candles to a minimum. Burn them only in safe containers. Never leave candles burning when you go to bed or leave the home.
  • Make sure Christmas tree lights and other decorations are in good shape. If cords are frayed or appear to be damaged, replace the decorations.
  • If you use a live Christmas tree, keep it in water. If it becomes dry, dispose of it immediately.
  • Hang decorations carefully. Do not use the top steps on a ladder. Make sure someone holds the ladder for you.
  • Keep a fire extinguisher within reach. Make sure everyone in the family knows how to use it.

“The new LED Christmas lights are a great reason to replace your old ones,” Coons notes. “They use a lot less electricity, they burn cooler, they last longer, and they offer very vivid colors.”

SOURCES: Consumer Product Safety Commission, ESFI,  National Fire Protection Association,  United States Fire Administration.