Yuletide Spirits Up In Smoke
So much of my blogging is focused on protecting yourself from crime while also providing for your personal safety; I often forget to talk about the other sources of danger in our home, since crime prevention is my forte after 29 years in law enforcement. It is what I do and what I have always done.
However, today, I will change hats from my standard issue patrol cover to the hard hats of my other favorite first responder, the Fire Service.
Christmas is a time of celebration. We gather friends, family, and other loved ones into our homes while garnishing and decorating with elaborate arrays of lighting, displays, and, yes, the hallowed Christmas Tree.
They are beautiful and often elaborately adorned with annual bulbs to commemorate each passing year, the ornaments our children and grandchildren create throughout their childhood, and the glittering sparkle of Christmas lights to dazzle our eyes and satisfy our creative imaginations. They are placed with care next to our fireplaces to complete the “Rockwell” picture.
Candles also burn throughout the house to provide scents of the Christmas season and a warm glow to welcome all.
How could all this goodness be dangerous? How do Christmas horrors happen?
Every year, we read or see stories of Christmas tragedies. We learn of fires that steal Christmas dreams like a Grinch in the night, except this Grinch never grows a heart. Instead, it turns your dream into horror as you lose. property, homes, and sometimes your loved ones. No one starts a Christmas season with a vision of such loss; it just happens. Tragedy strikes when we fail to see the dangers created while we craft our Christmas visions.
The holiday statistics are saddening. According to the National Fire Protection Association, the potential dangers equate to the following incidents:
Christmas Trees
An estimated average of 160 home fires that began when Christmas trees caught fire caused an average of two civilian deaths, 12 civilian injuries, and $10 million in direct property damage per year between 2015 and 2019.
Some type of electrical distribution or lighting equipment, including decorative lights, was involved in almost half of these fires. Nearly one in five Christmas tree fires were started by decorative lights (McKelvey, 2021)
Decorations
An estimated average of 790 home fires that began when decorations (other than Christmas trees) caught
fire caused an average of one civilian death, 26 civilian injuries and $13 million in direct property damage per year between 2015 and 2019.
Year-round, 35 percent of home decoration fires began with candles; in December, the number jumped to 45 percent.
In more than two of every five fires (44 percent) involving decorations, the decoration was too close to a heat source such as a candle, cooking or heating equipment (McKelvey, 2021).
Candles
An estimated average of 7,400 home fires (2 percent) started by candles caused an average of 90 civilian deaths (three percent), 670 civilian injuries (6 percent), and $291 million (4 percent) in direct property damage per year between 2015 and 2019.
Candle fires peak in December and January with 11 percent of candle fires in each of these months.
In three of every five candle fires, the candle was too close to something that could catch fire.
Christmas is the peak day for candle fires with roughly 2.5 times the daily average; Christmas Eve ranked second (McKelvey, 2021).
Cooking
Cooking is the leading cause of reported home fires (49 percent) and home fire injuries and the second leading cause of home fire deaths (McKelvey, 2021).
Oil frying, as pictured, can be one of the most dangerous methods for holiday preparations.
To avoid being one of these statistics, we need to be vigilant in our holiday preparations. You know the saying; an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Nothing could be truer for your holiday celebrations. So here are some helpful tips to stay safer during the holiday season:
Be mindful of your power sources; do not run more than three consecutive strands of lights per run.
Do not run cords under rugs where foot traffic can wear them down or create exposed wiring.
Ensure that all of your outdoor lighting is water-resistant and protected. Water and electricity do not mix.
Do not place your tree too close to a heat source, flame, or open sparks. Likewise, ensure the tree lights are in good condition and do not produce heat. LED lights illuminate brighter and produce less heat than older-style lighting.
If you chose a real tree versus an imitation tree, pick a healthy, green tree and then ensure that you keep it watered. Remember, artificial trees have similar dangers, so do not overlook this fact.
Never leave home or go to sleep with the tree lights connected to a power source or have your exterior lights on. You must be able to react if a fire were to occur.
Candles create a significant danger, so be mindful to separate them from your other flammable decorations. Keep them in holders or containers, so they have less potential for tipping, and never leave them unattended, especially if you have curious children in the home.
As temperatures drop, the use of space heaters becomes more common. Ensure the functionality of you heater and keep it isolated from flammable materials. Never keep it on and close to a bed where covers can be kicked off and onto or near the heating source.
Cooking brings a great deal of joy to the season, but it can also bring a horrible ending as well. Personal injury due to burns and property loss due to fire pose significant threats. Whatever method you choose to prepare your meal, understand how to use the equipment before starting, utilize the proper procedure for that equipment, and continuously monitor the process from start to finish. Leaving heat sources unattended can result in a severe injury, particularly oil frying a turkey, as previously pictured.
If a child pulled or the fryer tipped, it would create unimaginable injury and even death. So please be extra careful with this method of preparation (Williams, 2020).
Pets are our best friends in our home, but they pose a risk. Pets have been known to be as curious and rambunctious as small children. Large dogs can knock over trees, cats can walk along shelving and countertops where candles can be tipped, and wires make great chew toys until they don't…if you know what I mean.
So be mindful of your pets and how they can access your decorations. We love our pets; no one wants to see harm come to them (DeMarco, 2021).
One final thought I want to share with you regarding your holiday safety is the seasonal cheer that often coincides with our Christmas gatherings. Unfortunately, intoxication and being under the influence can lead to many dangerous outcomes. Beyond the apparent danger of intoxication and driving, many people have reported injuries from decorating their homes while partaking in the spirit. It has been reported that some decorators may hit the alcoholic eggnog a bit too hard, with 18% of respondents admitting to setting up their tree while they were drunk. This percentage rises for millennials (27%) and Gen Zers (20%). And the rates of men who have done so (25%) is nearly double that of women (13%) (DeMarco, 2021).
Likewise, cooking while under the influence can impair your judgment and motor skills. Boss Security Screens wants everyone to have a safe and happy Christmas season. Help us ring in the New Year without injury, suffering, or loss.
Watch out for one another, and never be too prideful to say you have had enough. Then, take the smart way home, get a ride, or stay in for the night. Tomorrow is always a new day.
Until next time, be safe and remain vigilant!
Written by,
Michael Johnston
Chief Security Advisor at Boss Security Screens
*The author is a paid consultant and product representative for Boss Security Screens. The information provided in this blog does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials are the author's opinion and for general informational purposes only. It is recommended that you consult an attorney, certified trainers, or licensed providers before acting on any information provided.
This website may link to other third-party websites. Such links are for the convenience of the reader and are not endorsed by the author.
References
DeMarco, J. (2021, December 6). Christmas hazards in 2021: Americans report tree injuries, fire risks, frisky pets and sticker shock. ValuePenguin. Retrieved December 4, 2022, from https://www.valuepenguin.com/christmas-hazards-survey
McKelvey, S. (2021, December 9). Christmas Day and Christmas Eve are among the leading days of the Year for U.S. home fires: NFPA: NFPA. National Fire Prevention Association. Retrieved December 3, 2022, from https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/Blogs-Landing-Page/Safety-Source/Blog-Posts/2021/12/09/Christmas-Day-and-Christmas-Eve-are-among-the-leading-days-of-the-year-forUS-home-fires
Williams, T. (2020, December 14). ‘tis the season for House fires-don’t be a statistic. Bob Vila. Retrieved December 4, 2022, from https://www.bobvila.com/articles/tis-the-season-for-house-fires-dont-be-a-statistic/
Photos
Figure 1: (n.d.). photograph. Retrieved December 4, 2022, from https://bc.ctvnews.ca/a-big-hunk-of-kindling-officials-urge-caution-with-increased-fire-hazards-over-the-holidays-1.4739338
Figure 2: (n.d.). photograph. Retrieved December 4, 2022, from https://blog.sintef.com/sintefenergy/bioenergy/dont-burn-your-christmas-tree-in-the-fireplace/
Figure 3: (n.d.). photograph. Retrieved December 4, 2022, from https://www.bobvila.com/articles/tis-the-season-for-house-fires-dont-be-a-statistic/
Figure 4: (n.d.). photograph. Retrieved December 4, 2022, from https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/SAFD-How-to-avoid-a-turkey-frying-fiasco-10633401.php
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