The Christmas holidays, and winter itself, are peak times for house fires to occur. The NFPA reports that 30% of all house fires happen in the months of December, January, and February.
It is important to stay vigilant, take proper precautions, and be mindful of all the different things that can cause fires this time of year - Christmas trees and lights, candles, space heaters and fireplaces.
Facts about home holiday fires:
- One of every four home Christmas tree fires is caused by electrical problems.
- Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur, they are more likely to be serious. On average, one of every 32 reported home Christmas tree fires results in a death compared to an average of one death per 143 total reported home fires.
- A heat source too close to the tree causes one in every four Christmas tree fires.
- The top three days for home candle fires are Christmas, New Year's Day, and Christmas Eve.
- Candles start two out of five home decoration structure fires.
Source: National Fire Protection Association
To learn more facts about holiday fires and how to prevent them, view the following infographics: Put a Freeze on Holiday Winter Fires by the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) and Wrapping up the Holidays - Preventing Winter Fires by the Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI).
You can also read our previous blog posts on holiday fires: Don't Let Your Christmas Tree Go Up in Flames! and Let Us Help Protect Your Family from Holiday Fires.
According to the latest findings by the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA), "U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 371,700 home structure fires per year" and that "roughly one of every 310 households per year had a reported home fire."
The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) contends that the holiday season, from December 1 to January 7, is "a time of elevated risk for winter heating fires" and "during this period, structure fires increase and the dollar loss per fire is 34% greater than normal, due largely to the decorative use of Christmas trees, other combustible materials such as wrapping paper, and candles."
There are a number of things you can do to protect your home and loved ones from the elevated risk of fire during the holidays, but perhaps the most important is to add a monitored smoke detector to your home alarm system.
What Is A Monitored Smoke Detector & How Is It Different From Store-Bought Smoke Detectors?
A monitored smoke detector is connected to your home alarm system and will not only sound an alarm but – unlike a plain smoke detector – notify the fire department and then you within seconds.
If you are not at home, a fire may not be called in until the neighbors (hopefully!) happen to see smoke billowing from your windows – at which point it's usually too late to save the home. If you are at home, the monitored smoke alarm will give you time to focus on getting your loved ones out safely without having to worry about stopping to call the fire department.
Even if you have a regular smoke detector/alarm in your home, can you remember the last time you tested it or changed the batteries? The National Burglar and Fire Association (NBFA) found in a recent study that as many as 50% of regular, battery-operated smoke detectors in American homes are "inoperable".
How We Help Keep You Safe
Our alarm systems can monitor your home (or business) for smoke, fire, carbon monoxide (CO), and heat. If a fire is detected in your home, a unique alarm will sound – different than the siren for an intrusion – and, for your safety, will sound regardless if your alarm system has been activated or not.
Almost immediately, a call will go out from our local Central Station to the nearest fire department; even if you aren't at home, your house, possessions, and pets can best be saved by the quickest response to a possible fire.
Statistics state that 64% of house fires occur during the day and the majority of these, without a monitored smoke/fire detector to alert the fire department, are a total loss. Check with your insurance company as they may offer a further discount to your homeowner's insurance if you have a fire/smoke/heat detector and alarm added to your monitored alarm system.
Call us today - (225) 292-5276 - to find out about adding a smoke/fire alarm to your monitored home alarm system, or about getting a full system installed in your home. Give you and your loved ones the greatest gift this holiday season – peace of mind. Knowing your home, family, possessions, and pets are being looked after, even when you're not there, is priceless.
[Call Alarm Center Security today for a FREE quote on a security system for your home or business - 1-800-97-ALARM - or visit our website to see if you qualify for a $0 down installation - alarm.net]
What could be more festive or fun than a beautiful, live tree twinkling with lights gracing your living room during the holiday season? It's just not Christmas without the tree and, for some people, that tree must be real.
A real, live tree is a beauty to behold and, though it can require more upkeep, is often worth the extra hassle just to enjoy the smell of pine and the look that only a real tree can provide.
Along with that extra cleanup, however, comes extra safety precautions. Let Alarm Center provide you with the information and tips you need to keep your home and loved ones safe this Christmas season.
The first thing to remember about natural trees is that there is a significantly higher fire risk than with artificial trees, which have often been treated with flame-retardant materials.
Christmas tree fires, though rare, are - according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) - more hazardous. When they do occur, they cause more damage and have a higher likelihood of causing death. In fact, according to the NFPA report, Home Christmas Tree and Holiday Light Fires:
On average, one of every 18 reported home structure Christmas tree fires resulted in a death compared to an average of one death per 141 total reported home structure fires.
What the NFPA found is that natural trees kept moist and regularly watered are "are unlikely to catch fire unintentionally".
To show just how quickly a dry tree can go up in flames and fire can consume the room it is in, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) put out this important, yet terrifying, video demonstration:
And while you may have seen the above video, you might not be aware of it's equally important and eye-opening cousin, which shows a shocking side-by-side comparison of both a dry and a properly maintained "wet" tree catching fire.
Both videos, and more information, can be found on the NIST's informative Fire Safety for the Holidays page. Other pages with equally good information that we recommend you check out:
You can also review this handy, visual guide, Christmas Tree Safety, compiled by the NFPA. Click here for a printable .pdf version.
We here at Alarm Center want to help keep you, your home, and especially your loved ones safe this holiday season - and always! Check back here for more safety information and tips to help you do just that year-round.
[Call Alarm Center Security today for a FREE quote on a security system for your home or business - 1-800-97-ALARM - or visit our website to see if you qualify for a $0 down installation - alarm.net]
