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With the holiday season in full swing, we want our customers to enjoy their homes and families to the fullest. As one of the most prominent Bakersfield security companies, it’s our role to remind you that part of the enjoyment is staying safe from the seasonal risks of fire. Here are some tips to reduce your risk of a house fire during this festive time of year.
Use caution when cooking.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that the top three days of the year for home cooking fires are Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and Christmas Eve. An even more sobering statistic is that cooking causes nearly half of house fires, and is the second-leading cause of home fire deaths. Because unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires, you can reduce your risk of causing one by staying in the kitchen while food is cooking — and to keep kids safe, make sure your turn all pot handles inward.
Use caution with candles.
Lighting candles is a great way to add seasonal fragrances to your home during the holidays, but they must be used carefully. NFPA research shows that candles cause 45% of home decoration fires. The NFPA warns that you should never place candles close to your tree or decorations (keep them at least 12 inches away). And because at least 10% of home candle fires involve falling asleep while a candle is lit, you should never fall asleep while a candle is burning.
Use caution with lights.
When the Kern County and Bakersfield Fire Departments partnered with PG&E to provide local holiday safety tips, they emphasized the fire risk of holiday light strings. Because traditional incandescent lights can become hot enough to start a fire in a short amount of time, both departments encourage choosing LED holiday lights instead. In fact, LED lights consume 75% less energy than incandescent lights; this means they stay cooler and are at a much lower risk of causing fire. In addition, you should inspect your light strings for broken bulbs or frayed wires every year; if you see any of these hazards, dispose of the string immediately.
Use caution with your tree.
Speaking of disposal, you should never attempt to dispose of your holiday tree in the fireplace. This may seem like an eco-friendly way to dispose of your tree, but it can start a devastating house fire in seconds. If you have purchased a natural cut tree, water it on a daily basis to keep it from drying out. When it does dry out, follow the instructions of the Kern County Christmas Tree Recycling Program for disposal.
In addition, the Kern County Fire Department has these tips for fireproofing your Christmas tree.
These are some of the most critical ways to prevent a house fire during the holidays. If you are in need of residential fire protection and looking at options from Bakersfield security companies, give Secure Systems a call. With our professionally monitored fire and smoke alarm systems, you can enjoy better protection from house fires all year long.
About Secure Systems
Secure Systems is a Bakersfield alarm company that installs alarms for homes and businesses. We also install residential camera systems and business camera systems, commercial and residential fire alarm systems, wireless monitoring, remote access alarm systems, access control and door buzzers in Bakersfield and Kern County. Call us today at (661) 326-1747.
