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Local Disaster Response Professional Says Keep the Focus on Fire Prevention for a Safe and Joyous Holiday Season
Poplar Bluff, MO (Grassroots Newswire) November 29, 2017 -- The American
Red Cross (ARC) cites statistics from the U.S. Fire Administration1
showing nearly 47,000 fires occur during the winter holidays, claiming
more than 500 lives, causing more than 2,200 injuries, and costing $554
million in property damage.
Michael Gross of SERVPRO® of Poplar Bluff, Dexter, New Madrid and Kennett
cautions home owners to follow some important ARC guidelines for holiday
decorating and entertaining to make sure that the glow in their holiday
celebrations is from twinkling lights and not a costly and potentially
deadly fire.
* Place Christmas trees and other holiday decorations at least three feet
away from heat sources like fireplaces, portable heaters, radiators, heat
vents, and candles.
* Purchase flame-retardant metallic or artificial trees. If you purchase a
real tree, make sure that it has fresh, green needles that aren‚t easily
broken. Keep live trees as moist as possible by giving them plenty of
water.
* Make sure that light strings and other holiday decorations are in good
condition. Do not use anything with frayed electrical cords and always
follow the manufacturer‚s instructions.
* If you are celebrating Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, keep flammable items,
including curtains and holiday decorations, at least three feet away from
your candles. Place your menorah or kinara on a non-flammable surface,
such as a tray lined with aluminum foil, to catch the melting candle wax.
Never leave lit candles unattended.
* Ensure all candles and smoking materials are properly extinguished after
guests leave and always unplug tree and holiday lights before leaving home
or going to bed.
"If, in spite of all your precautions, a fire does break out, the most
important thing you can do to help save lives is to install and maintain
smoke alarms throughout your property," says Gross. "Having a working
smoke alarm reduces everyone‚s chances of dying in a fire by nearly half."
Gross notes that the ARC is joining with fire departments and community
groups nationwide to deliver and install a limited number of free smoke
alarms in homes for those in need. Contact your local ARC chapter for more
information.
For more fire prevention and fire safety tips and information about fire
and water damage restoration services, please visit www.servpro.com. For
more information on SERVPRO® of Poplar Bluff, Dexter, New Madrid and
Kennett, please contact Michael Gross at (573) 776-1000 or