In The Night Before Christmas, the stockings are hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that St Nicholas soon will be there. In real life the stockings may be hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that a fire does not come out of nowhere. According to the NFPA, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day are the top three days for candle fires. Over half of home decoration fires are started by candles. NFPA suggest keeping candles at a minimum of 12 inches away from anything that burns. Candles are not the only fire hazard in town for the holidays. Christmas trees can cause major damage if they catch fire. NFPA reports that a heat source too close to a Christmas tree causes 1 in every 4 fires, and on average 1 of every 45 Christmas tree fires results in death. Keeping your tree at least 3 feet from heat sources and keep light strands to the suggested connected amount is a good place to start with tree fire safety, according to NFPA. Remember it takes less than 30 seconds for a dry tree to engulf a room in flames according to the National Institute for Standards and Technology. Keep your tree well-watered, the USFA reports that a well-watered tree is almost impossible to ignite. Dispose of trees within four weeks of purchase. Even the best watered tree will dry out after four weeks. Christmas decorations and candles are not the only hazards around the house. Heating equipment like space heaters can lead to fires. Remember to keep anything flammable at least three feet away. Other winter tips are to check your carbon monoxide detector and be sure to get your chimney cleaned by a professional. Check out our Facebook and other social media sites for more fire safety tips.
