Fire safety reminders to keep your home, family protected during holiday season
JACKSON, Tenn. — Make sure you’re protecting your home and your family during the holidays.
A warm home filled with friends and family, festive decorations, and home-cooked meals — they’re all hallmarks of the holiday season. Unfortunately, many of these festivities and traditions contribute to increased fire risks.
In fact, December is the leading month for U.S. home fires. Many people will be buying and gifting electronic devices that contain lithium-ion batteries. As the use of these devices has increased in recent years, so has the number of related fires.
It’s important to understand the risks associated with these batteries and ways to prevent them.
“Lithium ion batteries are in so many of the gifts that we give and receive, and they’re great – except they can be a real fire hazard if they are damaged or if they are not used properly. Make sure that you’re getting the battery or the charger that is designed for the product that you’ve bought. Avoid these knock-off or cheaper versions because they are not as safe,” said Tom Lyons director of communications for the National Fire Protection Association.
U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 835 home structure fires per year that began with decorations, excluding Christmas trees.
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