By Staff
The holiday season is one of family and fun, but it unfortunately too often also becomes one of tragedy.
With homeowners bringing out holiday decorations, sometimes the electrical circuits become overloaded or pulls and cords are damaged or frayed.
Indoor electrical decorations wouldn't be left on when you are not home.
Fires in homes at this time of the year are also more common mainly due to the increased use of candles for decorating.
Candles are also turned to in the time of power outages, when residents should be relying on safer methods of light and heat sources.
National Fire Protection Association warns people were using candles for light in more than 30 percent of all fatal candle fires and 75 percent of all catastrophic fires where five or more people died.
The rate of candle fires doubles in December and January, with 40 percent of all candle fires happening in the winter. Candle fires killed 350 people and injured nearly 3,000 people in 2004 and 2005. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security reports there are 23,600 candle fires each year – one every 34 minutes.
Most candle fires occur when the residents forget the candles are lit and go to sleep.
Play it safe this holiday season. Though candles are extremely popular, use caution by placing them on a safe surface. Check on them throughout the party to make sure they are burning correctly. Do not put them near anything flammable. Be sure and put them out before retiring for the night.
Keep the holidays a time of enjoyment.