December has arrived which means holiday decorations are going up in houses everywhere, but local fire officials are stressing precautions to prevent a disaster this Christmas season.
On average, there are 800 house fires a year caused by holiday decorations across the United States. Chief Ethan Foresman from Senatobia Fire & Rescue said Christmas lights are the number one source due to the stress they put on outlets.
“The typical outlet is for 15 to 20 amps,” Foresman said. “You want to check and make sure what you are plugging into it is not overloading those circuits. Also check your lights for any frayed wires or excessive wear. Replace any light strands that show any damage.”
Foresman said different household items like space heaters and chargers, paired with Christmas lights, could also cause a circuit to overload. Christmas trees are also a cause of house fires during the holiday season. When your tree is dry and next to an electrical socket, it can lead to a perfect storm.
“If you have a live tree, you want to make sure that you check the water daily and add water if needed,” Foresman added.
According to U.S. Fire Administration, one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles. Never leave burning candles unattended. Consider using battery operated flameless candles.
Emergency rooms nationwide treat around 8,000 people each year for holiday-related injuries. Causes of injuries range from falls and fires to cuts and shocks from decorating lights and trees.
The Mississippi Department of Health offered the following tips to ensure your Christmas is a merry one:
Live trees
Live trees should be fresh, with pliable needles that don't detach easily. Avoid trees with dry branches and needles that shed easily.
Setting up trees
Set up any tree away from fireplaces, radiators, space heaters and candles to minimize your risk of accidental fire.
Artificial trees
Make sure artificial trees are marked "fire resistant."
Decorative lights
Check decorative lights for loose or frayed wires, broken sockets, or cracked bulbs. If you have any doubts at all regarding the safety of your lights, replace them.
Turn lights off
Turn lights off when you leave home. Always extinguish candles or other flames when you are away.
Choking hazard
Follow recommended age ranges on toy packages. Young children can choke on toys with small parts.
Watch the kids
Children will consider any unattended item a toy to be explored. Don't leave hazardous objects or sharp items where children can reach them.
Hot foods
At parties or gathering, even hot foods can be a danger to children. Keep any heated dishes or stove pots away from table edges or any place where children can disturb them or knock them off.
