6 ways to protect your SC home from electrical fires during the Christmas season
From inflatable Santas, to porch lights and the beloved Christmas tree, this time of year is full of twinkling lights and festive decorations.
Recent retail research from Prophecy Market Insights projected that the Christmas home decorating industry has consumers poised to spend $8.45 billion this year on decorations, which will jump to $13.04 billion by 2034.
That’s a lot of power, extension cords, lights and outlets being used this time of year.
Damaged lighting and electrical equipment cause nearly half of all holiday decoration fires that result in injuries or deaths, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
Luckily, many of these incidents can be prevented by following these tips from the NFPA.
Christmas fire prevention tips
1. Ensure all light bulbs are screwed in tightly
2. Avoid placing furniture on extension cords and replace all damaged cords
3. Don’t overload circuits
4. Use flashlights or flameless candles instead of open flames to decorate your home
5. Check extension cords, appliances and lights for any damage before plugging into an outlet
6. Make sure your home is protected with Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs), devices designed to detect and stop dangerous arcing before an electrical fire can start
“Bulbs, lamps and cords are the items that can cause trouble if not replaced or inspected properly,” said John McCamish, Eaton Technical Marketing Engineer and member of the National Electrical Manufacturing Association LVDE AFCI Task Force.
When home decorations are improperly installed or damaged, they can contribute to an annual average of 835 house fires nationwide, dozens of injuries, multiple deaths and more than $14 million in property damage, according to the NFPA.
Also, 40% of home Christmas tree fires and nearly one in five of those fires were started by damaged or improper use of lamps or bulbs.
“Following these simple electrical safety tips will help provide peace of mind in protecting families and guests over the holidays,” said Gerald O’Connor, Technical Marketing Engineer for National Codes & Standards and Industry Relations at Eaton and member of the National Electrical Manufacturers Association LVDE AFCI Task Force.
