There are many things to look forward to about the holidays. Whether you like getting together with family, decorating, shopping, cooking delightful dinners, or a pleasant mixture of all those things, the Christmas season is one of the best parts of the year. However, with a tree and trimmings come additional risks, and it’s good to be aware of those before you get out the decorations this year. Here are some fire prevention tips you can prevent or recover from tree fires in your home this year.
Prevention Tips
According to the National Fire Protection Association, fire departments receive an average of 160 calls due to Christmas tree-related fires per year. So you want to make sure that you won’t be one of those calls. Here’s what you can do to make sure you won’t have to call this December:
- Water your tree. This is good for the longevity of your evergreen, but also to make sure that it doesn’t combust due to dryness. Plus, even if the tree does catch on fire, it will be easier to put out and slower to spread.
- Keep it away from fire. Make sure that you put it up well away from any fireplaces or other flames, and don’t set your pine-scented Yankee candle near it.
- Check your light strands. Each year, plug in your lights and look them over before you put them on the tree. Keep your eyes open for exposed wiring, loose bulbs, or any other possible fire hazards.
Restoration Tips
It’s all very well talking about how to prevent your Christmas tree from going up in flames, but what if you’re struggling to deal with the aftermath of a destructive holiday fire? Sometimes despite everything you’ve done to try and prevent it, your tree may still catch on fire. Then you have to deal with the damage. Here are some of the things that fire damage restoration services will do to fix your home or business after a holiday fire:
- Board up—Fires can leave large parts of the building exposed to the elements. As soon as the fire’s out, call a fire damage restoration company to come out and board up the damaged sections of the structure. Many insurance companies require this to be done if you want your claims to be honored, so it’s important to get a trained crew on site as soon as possible.
- Dry out—Fire sprinklers and hoses thoroughly soak the structure and furniture, so the quicker you can get everything dry the better. Fire damage restoration services will take care of the drying for you.
- Clean up—As soon as fire damage restoration services receive a call about an emergency, they’ll send out a team to do the immediate necessary cleaning. Later, they’ll do a more thorough job with special equipment to rid everything of the accumulated smoke and ash.
If you follow the above prevention tips, you’ll improve your chances of getting through the holiday season without the expense and danger of a Christmas tree-related house fire. Whether you’re decorating a private or residential space, be prudent and cautious with your tree and trimmings. And if you’ve experienced a destructive holiday fire, don’t forget to call us up at Steamatic, and we’ll be there to help. Happy holidays!