Reduce your home’s chance of fire this holiday season.
As a homeowner, you can imagine just how devastating a serious fire in your home would be. Unfortunately, during the holidays, your home’s fire risk increases significantly. Luckily, there are some steps you can take around your home to reduce the chances of a fire breaking out on your property. Here are some home fire risk precautions you should employ 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 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 light strings can also increase your home’s risk for fire. Before you hang up any lights, make sure they do not 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 you are using the right ones for outdoor and indoor use respectively. Using the proper equipment will ensure your decorations do not spark a fire this holiday season.
These are some of the precautions you should take to reduce your home’s chances of fire this holiday season. Want another way to keep your home safe? Make sure you have the right homeowners insurance protections in place. For assistance with all your personal coverage needs, contact the experts at The Schwab Agency in Colleyville, Texas to get started today.