The holidays, as well as being a time for celebration, can also pose unwanted threats in homes. During the Holiday Season, introducing items such as decorations, Christmas trees, temporary lighting as well as large amounts of wrapping paper and boxes can increase the chance of a fire occurring in homes.

Here are a few tips to help your client’s tenants stay safe, avoid any mishaps and make the most of this holiday season…

• Always unplug the Christmas tree lights at night or when leaving the room unattended for a long period of time.
• Use only non-combustible and flame-resistant materials to trim a tree.
• Keep the tree-stand filled with water. Very warm rooms can dry live trees out rapidly and cause a fire.
• Keep any ribbons on gifts and tree ornaments shorter than 7 inches to prevent strangulation or choking.
• Try to avoid using tinsel. It is a choking hazard to curious children and pets.
• Avoid holiday décor that resemble candy and food that may be tempting for a young child.
• Be sure all electric toys are UL/FM approved.
• Older ornaments and decorations that might be painted with lead paint should be discarded or kept out of the reach of small children and pets.
• If you celebrate Hanukkah, make sure the candles are secure in their holders. There is potential risk for one falling (especially if all 9 are lit at once) and starting a fire.
• Poinsettias are known to be poisonous to both humans and animals, so keep them well out of reach.
• When cooking for holiday visitors, always keep an eye on the range; unattended cooking is one of the leading causes of home fires in the United States.
• When lighting a Menorah, keep candles out of reach of small children and away from flammable draperies.

According to the United States Fire Administration, residential fires peak during the winter months largely due to holiday décor. Be sure you and your tenants follow these safety tips during this holiday season to avoid any dangerous mishaps that could turn the celebration into a tragedy.

Happy Holidays from everyone here at New Empire Group!

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