ServiceMaster Advanced Restoration provides water damage and fire damage restoration services, as well as flood damage, mold remediation, and COVID-19 cleaning. This holiday season will be like none other in light of the recent pandemic, as well as efforts to promote public safety and prevent the spread of COVID-19. The holidays will see more activities based in the home. Decorations, including Christmas trees, Christmas lights, and scented holiday candles, will be abundant. Outdoor grilling and sitting around the fire pit will continue to be popular activities as people seek to spend time together while still social distancing. ServiceMaster Advanced Restoration is sharing holiday fire safety tips to ensure that every holiday is happy and every celebration is safe!
Christmas Tree Safety Tips
The National Fire Protection Safety Association reports, “More than one of every four home Christmas tree fires is caused by electrical problems. Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur, they are more likely to be serious. A heat source too close to the tree causes one in every four of the fires.”
ServiceMaster Advanced Restoration encourages Orange County, CA residents to be fire smart with their holiday trees. If a small fire spreads to a dry Christmas tree, the flames can quickly become an inferno.
When selecting a tree, look for fresh, green needles that are firmly attached to the tree limbs. Before placing the tree in the support stand, remove two inches from the tree trunk. Place the tree at least three feet away from any heat source such as lights, heat vents, candles, fireplaces, and radiators. The tree should not block any exits. Water the tree daily.
Use lights that have been certified by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL). Note that some lights are only for indoor use while other lights are rated for outdoor use. Lights strings with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections should be discarded. Do not decorate a Christmas tree with lighted candles. When leaving home or going to bed, always turn off the lights to the Christmas tree.
Fire Safety Tips for the Holidays
Never leave items cooking on the stove unattended. A house fire occurs every seven seconds somewhere in the USA. Grease fires are a major cause of house fires, and cooking is a leading cause of house fires as well.
Outside grilling will be more popular than ever during the holidays due to COVID-19. Some of the main causes of grill fires include
- a dirty grill
- the grill being too close to combustible material
- an unattended grill
- a leak or break in a gas line
A clean, well-maintained grill is a safe grill. Never leave a lit grill unattended, and make sure to place the grill at least ten feet away from all buildings or structures. Always keep a fire extinguisher nearby.
The holiday season is a perfect time for a fire safety checkup.
- Begin the holiday season by changing the batteries in existing smoke alarms.
- Replace outdated smoke alarms.
- Have a fire extinguisher readily accessible in case the Christmas tree catches fire. A dry tree can ignite very quickly and become engulfed in seconds. Purchase additional fire extinguishers, if needed. Inspect the extinguishers to ensure that they are fully charged.
- Review the family fire safety plan. Fire hazards increase dramatically during the holiday season. These house fire hazards include increased use of grills, extended time around the firepit, one or more Christmas trees in the home, strings of Christmas lights, backyard bonfires, extra cooking, more scented candles, and the use of fireworks.
- Know who to call in case of fire damage or water damage. The time to identify a reputable property damage restoration company is before disaster strikes. The restoration process needs to begin immediately to prevent advanced secondary damage.
ServiceMaster Advanced Restoration is a trusted damage restoration company with a proven track record. The company has refined the process for quickly identifying damage, determining the restoration services needed, and minimizing inconvenience to the customer. ServiceMaster Advanced Restoration will dry and clean everything from documents to carpets to upholstery in order to help prevent future mold problems. With over fifty years of industry experience, the team has developed the most advanced cleaning and restoration technologies and methods. When disaster strikes, every minute counts, which is why ServiceMaster Advanced Restoration is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year. Service areas include Los Angeles County, Orange County, Riverside County, San Diego County, and parts of San Bernardino County.
For more information about fire damage restoration in Orange County, CA, email WorkOrders@smadvancedrestoration.com.
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