The holiday season is upon us, meaning an increase in parties and celebrations. However, residential fires will be at a high for the year, with twice the number of fires occurring on Christmas Day than on a regular day throughout the year. Property damage will be up by one third and fatalities will be increased. Keep your home or business safe during this season by following these tips from Boston Board Up Services!
Never leave open flames unattended
According to the United States Fire Association, unattended cooking is the top cause of fires during this time of year. With a constant stream of people coming in and out of your home, it is easy to get distracted and forget that there’s something in the oven. If you are prone to forgetfulness, bring something from the kitchen with you if you leave the room so you remember that there’s something cooking. You should also equip your kitchen with a fire extinguisher and regularly check your smoke detectors to make sure they are working.
Candle fires are also up during the month of December, as four of the five days most likely to result in fire occur this month. When lighting candles, make sure there is at least one foot between the candle and any potentially flammable materials, especially hanging garlands, tapestries, and curtains, and make sure your candle has a sturdy base and cover. Walk through your home to make sure each candle is extinguished before you leave the house or go to bed. If you are only looking for atmosphere, consider using battery-operated LED candles. You will be able to give the appearance of having lit candles without any of the risks. If there are young children in your home, make sure any matches or lighters are kept well out of reach
Keep an eye on your lights and Christmas tree
The longer your tree is up, the sooner it will begin drying out. When your lights are on, they will apply heat to the tree. If you are planning on having a real tree, choose one with intact needles and have someone trim the trunk before tying it down on your car. Keep your tree away from any heat sources in your home, including space heaters, radiators or fireplaces, and thoroughly check your lights before placing them on the tree. If the wires are fraying or the sockets appear damaged, throw out that strand and buy new lights. Never run more than three strings of lights together to minimize the risk of a surge. Your tree will begin drying out after about one month, so be sure to take it down before the needles start falling off all at once. If you have an artificial tree, the fire hazard is relatively low, but make sure the materials are flame resistant. Be sure to check your smoke detector’s functionality at least once per month for an instantaneous alert to a fire.
Emergency Response and Structure Stabilization in Revere, MA
If a fire begins in your home or business this holiday season, contact Boston Board Up Services immediately after contacting the fire department. As soon as the fire is put out and the building is determined to be safe to enter, our representatives will begin stabilizing the building and boarding up your windows and doors to deter intruders. While we perform our work in the building, we will be able to provide a quote for demolition, reconstruction, and debris removal. Please note that any initial measures Boston Board Up Services take to stabilize the structure are only temporary. Boston Board Up Services can be reached 24 hours a day at 1 (800) 949-9113 or by filling out our online contact form.