Tips for Avoiding Fire Damage During Holiday Decorating and Cooking

We just love this time of year! As the holiday season begins and friends and family plan gatherings, we look forward to the joy of getting together and to enjoying holiday meals. Whether enjoying long-standing traditions, or trying new additions to the holidays, this is a special time full of cheer, family gatherings, and delicious food. As we pull out the decorations and start planning those festive meals, it’s easy to get distracted by the hustle and bustle. Our fire damage team at Clean Rite Restoration & Cleaning has seen first hand how holiday decorating and cooking mishaps can quickly escalate into a fire. We want your holiday to be memorable for all the right reasons, not for having to deal with the shock and stress of fire damage. Here are a few essential, common-sense tips to help keep your home safe from fire damage while you’re celebrating.

Avoiding Holiday Decorating Fire Damage

Some common holiday decorations can also be fire hazards. Fortunately, fire from decoration mishaps can usually be avoided when you are careful

Caring for Your Christmas Tree

• Keep a Real Tree Hydrated: A dry Christmas tree is incredibly flammable. If you have a real tree, check the water level daily. If you notice your tree is no longer drinking water, it has become dangerously dry. At this point, it’s a good idea to remove it from your home immediately to prevent a bigger fire hazard.
• Location Matters: Keep your tree (and other large decorations) at least three feet away from any heat source, including radiators, heat vents, and the fireplace.
• Toss the Old: If your artificial tree is shedding needles or looking brittle, it may be a fire risk. If you can, opt for trees labeled "fire resistant."

Lights and Electrical Safety

• Inspect Before Hanging: Check all your strands of lights for frayed wires, broken sockets, or loose connections. Dispose of any that are damaged.
• Don't Overload: Use a limited number of light strands per extension cord, and be sure your extension cord is rated for the total amperage of the lights connected to it. Never run extension cords under rugs or furniture. Remember that you typically want a circuit breaker to carry about 80% of its max load. So a 20-amp circuit breaker should generally have no more than16 amps on it before it will start to trip - and that is for everything on it, so don’t forget to include any other lights, TVs, etc that may be on that circuit.
• Unplug and Unwind: It’s a good idea to turn off all decorative lights, both indoors and outdoors, before you go to sleep or leave the house.

Candles and Open Flames

This might be the most important tip: Never leave a burning candle unattended. Be careful to always keep them away from flammable materials like curtains, paper, or dry greenery. If you have pets or small children, consider switching to battery-operated candles. They can be a great decor alternative without the same risks of fire damage.

Even if they don’t cause a fire, candles can create very fine soot damage - so fine that you might not notice until it becomes severe. 

Holiday Cooking Safety

The kitchen is the heart of the home during the holidays, but it's also the source of most house fires. A few minutes of distraction when you’re cooking can have serious consequences. Here are our top tips for avoiding cooking fires and fire damage:

• Never Walk Away: Unattended cooking is the leading cause of residential fires. When you're frying, broiling, or sautéing, stay in the kitchen. If you need to leave the room, turn off the burner.
• Clean Up as You Go: Built-up grease on your stovetop, in your oven, or on the walls around the range can easily ignite. Clean up spills and splatters regularly.
• Keep the Kids Safe: Create a "kid-free zone" of at least three feet around the stove and oven while you are cooking.
• Frying Outdoors: If your holiday tradition involves deep-frying, always do it outside, away from the house, and on a level, stable surface. Make sure the food is completely thawed and dry before it goes into the oil.

What to Do if a Fire Happens During the Holidays

Despite our best intentions, accidents can happen. If you ever find yourself facing the aftermath of a house fire, your immediate next steps are crucial. After everyone is safe and the fire department has been called, the most important thing you can do to protect your property is to call a professional fire damage restoration company immediately. 

Your Rhode Island Fire Damage Experts

The holidays are for enjoying your home, not worrying about it. We hope these tips help you have a safe and peaceful season. But if you ever need expert help dealing with a fire damage disaster in Rhode Island, our local team at Clean Rite Cleaning & Restoration is here for you, 24/7. Have a wonderful and safe holiday!