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Holiday Fire Prevention Tips for Your Home

Homeowner Tips

a person relaxing next to their fireplace

Holiday Lights

  • Maintain Your Holiday Lights

Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.

  • Do Not Overload Electrical Outlets

Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires – they should not be warm to the touch.

Do not leave holiday lights on unattended!

Holiday Decorations

  •  Use Only Nonflammable Decorations 

All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heat vents. If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.

  •  Don’t Block Exits 

Ensure that trees and other holiday decorations do not block an exit way. In the event of a fire, time is of the essence. A blocked entry/exit way puts you and your family at risk.

  •  Never Put Wrapping Paper in the Fireplace 

Wrapping paper in the fireplace can result in a very large fire, throwing off dangerous sparks and embers that may result in a chimney fire.

Candle Care

  • Avoid Using Lit Candles 

Consider using battery-operated flameless candles, which can look, smell and feel like real candles. 

  • If You Do Use Lit Candles 

Make sure candles are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn. Never leave a room or go to bed with candles burning. 

  • Never Put Lit Candles on a Tree 

Do not go near a Christmas tree with an open flame – candles, lighters or matches.

Please never underestimate the power of having fire and smoke detectors as a part of your security system.  Fire and smoke monitoring is a service provided whether the customer’s security system is armed or disarmed. 

For more details on how to add fire monitoring to your home, please contact an EMC Security representative at 770-963-0305. 

All EMC Security customers receive fire monitoring at no additional cost.