Safety tips to keep your Christmas season merry!

12/12/2023 (Permalink)

Use these safety tips in your Montgomery County residence or commercial building to make it a safe holiday season!

Christmas is less than 2 weeks away! Can you believe it?

During the winter holiday season, we notice a pattern of catastrophes, many dealing with Christmas trees. While they’re beautiful to look at, Christmas trees can cause a lot of issues if not properly taken care of.

To avoid hazards such as a tree fire, house fire, outlet overload, and even electrocution, follow the tips below to keep you and your family safe and happy during this 2023 holiday season!

• Water your tree daily! A dry tree can quickly transform into a tree in flames.
• Do not connect more than three strings of lights.
• Got cords? Keep them away from heat sources. Do not nail or staple them either. Placing them under a rug isn’t a safe idea. Neither is completely shutting a door or closing a window with a cord running through it. This is a fire hazard.
• Plugging in too many appliances can overload the outlet. 
• Before plugging in appliances, lights, yard decorations, etc., make sure your sockets are in good condition and that wires are not bare. Oftentimes, we use these decorations or particular outlets once a year, so it’s important to carefully inspect them.
• Turn off and unplug any lights before going to sleep or leaving your home. Extinguish any candles before leaving the vicinity.
• Cooking or baking for the holidays? Make sure to stay in the kitchen when doing so.
• Use battery-operated candles instead of candles with actual flames.
• Water and electricity do NOT mix well. Be careful your string lights are not touching or partially in the tree’s water bowl. Additionally, snow=water. Make sure you are dry when plugging in outdoor lights. Dry your hands from any falling elements such as rain and snow before dealing with electricity.
• It’s cold! But be careful where you place space heaters. They should always be at least 3 feet away from furniture, etc. and even farther from Christmas trees.

We at SERVPRO of Rockville-Olney and SERVPRO of Silver Spring North wish you a Merry Christmas and safe holiday season!

For more fire safety tips, visit our website:

www.SERVPROrockvillesilverspringnorth.com/fire-damage-tips