One-third of Christmas tree structure fires involved electrical failures or malfunctions. Nearly 20 percent of these structure fires occurred because some type of heat source was too close to the tree. This is why hiring an electrician who completed a NASCLA Accredited Electrical Exam Prep is very important to avoid any electrical failures. If you need help from a nearby technician like MZ Electric or looking for electrical repair in North Dallas, TX, you can always visit a place like callbigfamily.com/residential-electrical/ to find a reliable electrician to help you.

NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) offers the following Christmas fire safety tips:

• If you have an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled, certified, or identified by the manufacturer as fire retardant.
• If using a real tree, select one with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.
• Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 1″ – 2″ from the base of the trunk.
• Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.
• Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.
• Add water to the tree stand. Be sure to add water daily.

Lighting the tree:

• Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Connect no more than three strands of mini string sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of LED strands to connect, and if you need help you can also get a las vegas electrician to help you and do everything more secure.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are the second and third leading days for cooking fires respectively. Most cooking fire occur when cooking is left unattended. Tips on cooking fire safety are also available at www.nfpa.org/holiday.

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‘Tis the season for rosy cheeks, button-down coats, and cranking up the heat. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), it’s also the time of year when home fires peak, many of which are caused by heating equipment.

“Half of all home heating fires occur during December, January, and February, when we are fully utilizing our heating systems” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of communications for NFPA. “The public can reduce their risk of getting left out in the cold by following NFPA’s safe heating behaviors.”

In NFPA’s report “Home Fires Involving Heating Equipment,” in 2009, heating equipment was involved in an estimated 58,900 reported home structure fires, 480 civilian deaths, 1,520 civilian injuries, and $1.1 billion in direct property damage. Stationary and portable space heaters accounted for one-third (32 percent) of reported home heating fires, but nearly 80 percent of the home heating fire deaths, two-thirds (66 percent) of associated civilian injuries, and half (52 percent) of associated direct property damage.

Overall, fires, injuries and damages from fires involving heating equipment were all lower than in 2008 and fit into a largely level trend over the past few years. The number of deaths from heating equipment was virtually unchanged.

As temperatures begin to drop, here are some safe heating behaviors to follow:

• All heaters need space. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment, like the furnace, fireplace, wood stove, or portable space heater.
• Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
• Never use your oven to heat your home.
•  Have a qualified professional from www.onehourheatandair.com/lees-summit install stationary space heating equipment or central heating equipment according to the local codes and manufacturer’s instructions.
•  Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year by a qualified professional. If you need someone to service or repair your furnace, sites like alohaairmemphis.com/heating-services/furnace-repair/ can send one of their technicians to your home. You can also visit Home Heating and Air Conditioning | Furnace Replacement for more info.
•  Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
•  Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel-burning space heaters.
•  Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container. Keep the container a safe distance away from your home.
• Test smoke alarms monthly.

In an effort to reduce winter fires, NFPA is partnering with the U.S. Fire Administration on a special campaign – Put a Freeze on Winter Fires.

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