Holiday Fire Facts

12/7/2020 (Permalink)

The holidays are one of the most exciting times of the year! From family gatherings to festive decorations, there's always plenty to look forward to. No matter how we decorate, we are most likely going to be using some sort of electricity. If we aren’t careful, it can be a huge hazard if not used or maintained properly. According to the National Fire Protection Association www.nfpa.org, Holiday fires caused an average of three deaths, 15 injuries, and $10 million in direct property damage annually. On average, one of every 52 reported home fires that began with a Christmas tree resulted in a death, compared to an average of one death per 135 total reported home fires. 

SERVPRO of Hattiesburg wants to help keep you safe this Holiday season. With the help of the NPFA, here are some safety tips for you to keep in mind.

Electrical Fire Safety Tips

• Make sure that there are smoke detectors installed on every floor of the building, inside each room and right outside of every sleeping area to ensure that the alarms can be heard even when sleeping.
• Test smoke detectors monthly to make sure that they’re working properly and have working batteries.
• Have your electrical system inspected by a certified professional to make sure that all of the electrical work meets the National Electric Code safety standards.
• Look and listen for signs of electrical problems such as, flickering or dim lights, buzzing or sizzling sounds from electrical outlets, or insulation and circuit breakers that trip repeatedly. If any of these or any other electrical problems are found, contact a professional as soon as possible for the issue to be inspected.
• Avoid overloading outlets with too many electronics. Consider having more outlets or circuits installed by a professional.
• In homes with children, install tamper-resistant devices to keep children from getting electrical shocks or burns.
• Create an evacuation plan that can be used in the event of a fire.

If an emergency occurs this Holiday season, SERVPRO of Hattiesburg is here to help 24/7, even on Holidays! 601-544-0512 or 228-467-4450