Stay Safe When Decorating for the Holidays | SERVPRO of South Atlanta

12/21/2022 (Permalink)

Follow SERVPRO's holiday fire safety tips to avoid an unexpected visit from our fire mitigation and restoration team. We are here to help 24/7!

When the holidays roll around, there are so many ways to celebrate. Decking out your home for the holidays is a great way to get into the holiday spirit. However, neglecting safety precautions when decorating is a common cause of holiday fires.

Atlanta’s endless holiday events make it easy to get into the holiday spirit. Visit the Atlanta Zoo to enjoy milk and cookies with Santa or the Botanical Garden Lights for a truly unique holiday light show.

If you decide to stay home for the holidays this year, prioritize safety while you decorate. You’ll be better able to take in everything this magical time of year has to offer when you work to prevent flames in your Atlanta home!

Top Seasonal Hazards

In the United States, fire departments report around 790 holiday fires ignite each year due to decorations.

Heating sources like a fireplace or space heaters setting decorations ablaze were the main source of these fires. Christmas trees and candles are other holiday standards that might spark flames in your home if used improperly.

If your family decorates a real tree, keep it watered and away from any heat sources or open flames. If you choose the artificial version, check the box or look for a tag to verify that it is fire-resistant. Unplug your decorations when you aren’t using them to avoid flames due to overheating.

Take Preventive Measures

“The stocking were hung by the chimney with care” isn’t just a recognizable Christmas line. It’s a great way to remember to keep your holiday décor away from any open flames.

Each day, approximately 20 residential fires are started by candles, so keep them on a safe surface at a distance from all materials. If you use a fireplace to warm up your home, have it cleaned and inspected annually to prevent accidental fires.

Outdoor decorations should never be used indoors. You can prevent igniting an outdoor fire by fastening your holiday lights with insulated nails made to withstand severe weather.

If your family doesn’t already have a fire safety plan in place, this is the perfect time to get everyone involved. Educate your loved ones on these holiday safety practices to keep your Atlanta home fire-free this season. And if a fire wreaks havoc inside your home, SERVPRO is the team to turn to for expert restoration.

Have smoke or fire damage in your house? Contact us today to get cleaned up fast.