FIRE SAFETY TIPS FOR THE HOLIDAYS

This is the time of year when many people decorate for the holidays and entertain family and friends. It is a joyous and wonderful time of year.  However, the winter months also pose several fire hazards that are not always present at other times throughout the year. Below are tips from our personal injury attorneys for holiday fire safety to keep you, your family, and your home safe this holiday season.

Holiday Fire Safety Tips

When you are preparing for and celebrating the holidays, keep these safety tips in mind:

• Check all holiday lights to ensure that there are no frayed or broken wires. Do not use lights that are damaged.
• Never overload outlets because it can be a fire hazard.
• Do no place your Christmas tree near the fireplace or any other source of heat.
• Do not run electrical cords under rugs.
• If you decorate with candles, keep the candles away from any item that can catch fire. Also, blow out candles when you leave the room, leave home, or go to sleep.
• When cooking, stay in the kitchen to keep a close eye on items on the stove. Do not allow children to play in the kitchen when you are cooking.
• If you choose a live Christmas tree, you need to choose a tree that has supple, green needles that do not fall off when you rub the needles between your fingers. Cut the bottom of the trunk before placing the tree in the stand and keep water in the stand to prevent the tree from drying out.
• Do not use real candles to decorate a tree.
• Only use extension cords that are in good condition and UL-rated for outdoor or indoor use.

General Fire Safety Tips for Your Home

In addition to the above holiday fire safety tips, the following tips can help protect your family from the dangers of fire during the holidays:

• Always have fire extinguishers on every level of your home, especially in the kitchen.
• Install smoke detectors throughout your home and check the detectors periodically to ensure they are working properly.
• You need to have an escape plan in place for your family. Practice your escape plan several times each year to ensure everyone knows what to do in the event of a fire.
• Have more than one escape route so that you can use the alternate route if a fire blocks the main route.
• Teach children what the smoke alarm sounds like and the steps they need to take if they hear the alarm, smell smoke, or see a fire.
• Never leave portable heaters turned on when you go to sleep or leave home.

For more information about home fires, visit the Ready.gov website.

Sacramento Personal Injury Attorneys

We hope you have a safe holiday season and do not have any accidents. However, if you do need our attorneys this holiday season, we are here to help you and your family. You can contact The Tiemann Law Firm at (916) 999-9000 or by visiting our website to schedule your free consultation with one of our Sacramento personal injury attorneys. Our law firm serves clients in Sacramento, Folsom, Roseville, El Dorado Hills and other communities in the greater Sacramento area.