According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), each holiday season, over 400 people die and 1,650 are injured in fires. Fires can be caused by holiday lights and decorations that malfunction, spark, or overheat, by decorative candles, by flammable decorations, or by fires in fireplaces that get out of control.
You can reduce the risk of fires this holiday season by remembering some important holiday safety tips:
- Check the quality of your holiday lights. Whether you purchase new lights or reuse old lights, inspect your lights for frayed wires, insulation gaps, bare spots, cracked sockets, and excessive wear.
- Never overload electrical outlets. Do not link more than three strands together unless the directions specifically say it is safe to do so. Wires should not be warm to the touch. If they are, unplug them.
- Never leave holiday lights on unattended.
- Never use flammable decorations.
- Keep all decorations away from heat sources.
- Never burn wrapping paper in a fireplace. Burning paper can result in very large and unmanageable fire.
- Only use flame-retardant artificial foliage decoration. If decorating with fresh foliage, make sure it is not overly dry.
- Avoid lit candles in your holiday decorations.
- Never leave lit candles unattended.
- Make sure smoke alarms are working properly and equipped with functional batteries.
Contact Us
Everyone should take proper precautions with their holiday decorations in order to keep everyone safe this season. However, sometimes accidents do occur, either because of a product malfunction or because of the negligence of another person. If you have suffered from an accident this holiday season, the New York City personal injury lawyers at Orlow, Orlow & Orlow, P.C. can help you get the compensation you need from the responsible party.