HOLIDAY FIRE SAFETY - THE ATTIC EXPERTS

WE LOVE HOLIDAY DECORATIONS

We all love a festive atmosphere in our homes during the holidays. Sadly, holiday decorations can lead to fire hazards.

According to the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), more home fires occur during the holiday season than any other time of the year.

U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 840 home structure fires per year that began with decorations, excluding Christmas trees, in 2011-2015. These fires caused an annual average of two civilian fire deaths, 36 civilian fire injuries and $11.4 million in direct property damage.
Ten percent of decoration fires were intentional.
The decoration was too close to a heat source such as a candle or equipment in two of every five (42%) fires.
More than one-fifth (21%) of the decoration fires started in the kitchen. Fifteen percent started in the living room, family room or den.
One-fifth (19%) of the home decoration fires occurred in December.

Candles started more than one-third (36%) of home decoration structure fires.
More than half (55%) of the December home decoration fires were started by candles, compared to one-third (32%) in January to November.
The top three days for home candle fires were Christmas, New Year’s Day, and New Year’s Eve.

Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by the day before Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.
Cooking equipment was involved in 19% of home decoration fires. This can happen when a decoration is left on or too close to a stove or other cooking equipment.

Ten percent of fireworks fires occur during the period from December 30 through January 3, with the peak on New Year’s Day.

By following the guidelines laid out by the NFPA, you can protect your loved ones and your home from fire during this and every holiday season!