The holiday season can be a lot of fun, filled with loved ones, sweet treats, and twinkling lights.
We often forget that the holiday season is also one of the most dangerous times of the year when it comes to home fires.
People often light candles to celebrate Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve. They also spend a lot of time cooking during the holidays and are running their heating systems more often to keep their homes warm for their guests. All of these things can factor into a home fire and put you at an increased risk of experiencing one, which is why you should take steps to prevent a fire from breaking out in your home.
Candles might look nice in your home, but you should probably think twice about using them. In 2016, the National Protection Fire Association reported that candle-related fires were up about 125 percent. Far too often, people light them near something that could potentially catch fire, like holiday decorations or drapes, and it results in a fire or simply forget about them. You should consider using battery-operated candles instead if you insist on using candles.
Cooking fires remain the leading cause of fires in the home, both during the wintertime and the other times of the year. Because people spend so much time in the kitchen during the holidays and because they’re often distracted thinking about everything else they need to be doing, cooking fires around the holidays have become all too common. You should make sure you never leave anything unattended on the stove or in the oven when you are cooking this holiday season. You should also check to make sure your smoke detectors and fire alarms are working.
Outside of candles and cooking, heating systems are also often known to ignite fires around the holidays and throughout the winter. If you haven’t had your heating system inspected lately, it’s a good idea to have it done before you start using it regularly. A technician can spot potential problems and fix anything that doesn’t seem to be working properly. It could stop a fire from starting and make your entire HVAC system more efficient overall.
No matter how careful you are, there is always a fire risk that comes along with the holiday season and the wintertime. If you ever experience a fire and need an investigation done, John Michael Agosti and Associates can help. We can also provide you with other services in the event of a fire. Call us at 847-682-6793 today to learn more.
