According to many, it's the most wonderful time of the year: whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or another holiday during the month of December, chances are you're busy decorating your home to give it a festive glow. However, all those decorative touches can increase the risk of fire in your home, and that's one glow you definitely don't want to have. Here are the top 5 holiday fire hazards – and how to avoid them.
1. It's Getting Hot in the Kitchen
There's no shortage of cooking to be done during the holidays. Whether it's baking goodies for your friends or preparing the family meal, we spend a lot of time in the kitchen. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires. Make sure you:
- Keep items that can catch fire, such as paper towels and napkins, away from the stove;
- Use a timer to remind you that the stove or oven is on when roasting or baking food;
- Turn off the stove if you leave the kitchen, even for a short period of time;
- Have a fire extinguisher in the area and make sure everyone in the family knows where it's located and how to use it.
2. Twinkle, Twinkle Festive Lights
Nothing sets the holiday atmosphere like strings of lights. Whether you choose multi-coloured lights, a single colour, twinkle lights or screw-in bulbs, chances are you only use them once a year. That means they need even more attention when you set them up.
- Know whether your lights are for indoor or outdoor use and put them in their respective places;
- Check for frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections and throw out any damaged sets of lights;
- Avoid overloading electrical outlets – a safe rule is to never string more than 3 sets of lights on a single extension cord.
3. O, Christmas Tree
The tree is often the centerpiece of the holidays, providing a visual point of focus in your home – plus a gathering spot for all those Christmas goodies. We could debate real vs artificial trees, but in either case you'll want to make sure you've taken the appropriate steps to keep it safe.
- If you're buying an artificial tree, make sure it's marked as "fire-resistant" and bears the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) label;
- If you're buying a real tree, check that it's fresh and keep it watered once you've set it up at home;
- Keep your tree away from heat sources like radiators and fireplaces to extend the time it will stay fresh and avoid accidentally spreading flames.
4. Cozy by the Fire
A warm fire can bring cheer to friends and family on a cold winter night. A lit fireplace also requires you to keep safety top of mind.
- Before your first cozy fire of the year it is important to check your chimney. To avoid fire and smoke damage make sure that the damper opens and closes properly. If your chimney hasn't been cleaned in a while, call a chimney sweeper.
- Remove any decorations around the fireplace that could burn or melt, such as stockings.
- Do not burn wrapping paper in the fireplace, as it could cause a flash fire due to the way it's treated.
5. Candlelight at Night (or Any Time)
Candles are an important part of many holiday traditions. There are many LED and battery-operated options available, but if you absolutely must have the real thing make sure you:
- Keep burning candles out of reach of children and away from areas of high traffic by people or pets;
- Locate candles on a stable surface and well away from any flammable objects including curtains, the tree, and decorations;
- Put out all candles before leaving the room or going to sleep.
The reality is that you don't want to have to worry during the holidays. Whether you rent or own your home, one thing that will add to your peace of mind is proper insurance; knowing that you and your loved ones will be taken care of in case an accident does happen will let you enjoy the best this season has to offer.
Home insurance is a key requirement for your mortgage. The Auxilium Team is happy to provide you with a referral to our trusted partners for a consultation and quote.
Auxilium Mortgage Corporation is based in Victoria, BC and works with clients locally and across Canada. The Auxilium team has over 100 years of combined financial experience and access to dozens of lenders to help you meet your goals.
