Tips for Preventing Christmas Tree Fire Clean Up
The holidays are a wonderful time for getting your family together. Many people love to decorate their homes, but never stop to think about how devastating a Christmas tree fire clean up in Springfield Missouri would be for their family.
The U.S. Fire Administration reports that 1 in 40 Christmas tree fires result in death, compared to 1 in 142 of all residential fires. These fires also cause an estimated $17.3 million in damage each year. Follow these safety tips as you deck the halls to prevent a Christmas tree fire.
- Position trees away from heating sources such as heaters and the fire place.
- Consider choosing an artificial tree as they are less likely to catch fire. Choose a tree that is labeled, certified, or identified by the manufacturer as fire retardant.
- When plugging in the tree, try not to overload the outlet. Consider plugging them into a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) for extra safety.
- Use only Christmas tree lights that are rated for indoor use and tested for safety. Check for the label of an independent testing laboratory like Underwriters’ Laboratory (UL).
- Before using lights, check each set of lights for worn or broken cords, broken or cracked sockets, and loose bulb connections. Replace damaged lights.
- Don’t fasten colored spotlights onto metallic trees. Use them above or beside your tree to prevent tree branches from becoming charged with electricity from faulty lights.
- Make sure your tree is not blocking a fire exit.
- Turn off the all Christmas lights and decorations when going to bed or leaving home.
As you decorate for the Christmas season, be fire smart. Keep in mind that a small fire that starts in a Christmas tree can grow large very quickly. With these simple yet effective tips, you can safely enjoy your holiday festivities and decorations. If fire and smoke damage does occur, call your local experts in fire damage restoration services in Springfield Missouri, PuroClean Certified Restoration.