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<\/div>\nEven if you\u2019re not planning to decorate much this year, your home faces a higher risk of fire during the holiday season \u2014 especially if you\u2019re preparing for a move. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA),<\/span> fires started by holiday decorations<\/span><\/a> caused an annual average of <\/span>$15 million in direct property damage from 2019\u20132023<\/b>. This figure doesn\u2019t include the thousands of fires caused by holiday cooking, dry Christmas trees, or candles.<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re in the middle of a move, your risk becomes even greater.<\/span> Packing materials<\/span><\/a> add fuel for fires, and busy households are more prone to distraction.<\/span> Boxes<\/span><\/a>,<\/span> paper<\/span><\/a>, and<\/span> bubble wrap<\/span><\/a> can easily end up near heaters or open flames without you realizing it.<\/span><\/p>\n The good news: With some planning and awareness, you can protect your home, your belongings, and your family. Below are practical fire-safety tips for staying safe while juggling the holidays and a relocation.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>The holiday season brings plenty of flammable materials, such as shipping boxes, gift bags, wrapping paper, and packaging fillers. A move adds even more: cardboard boxes, packing paper, tape scraps, and Styrofoam peanuts.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>To reduce your fire risk:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The holiday season is stressful on its own. Add a move \u2014 and the long to-do lists that come with it \u2014 and distractions become unavoidable. Unfortunately, distractions are a leading cause of house fires. Take cooking, for example. According to The Burn Institute, cooking is the <\/span>leading cause of home fires<\/span><\/a> and home fire injuries in the United States at any time of the year.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>Common risks include:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n To stay focused:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n It wouldn\u2019t be the holidays without elaborate meals and festive sweets. Holiday cooking brings joy, but also major fire risks. The Burn Institute reports that <\/span>cooking is the<\/b> number one cause of home fires and fire-related injuries<\/b> year-round.<\/span><\/p>\n Protect your home with these kitchen safety tips:<\/span><\/p>\n Candles create a cozy ambiance but are a major fire hazard. According to the NFPA, <\/span>more than one-third of holiday home fires start with candles<\/b>.<\/span><\/p>\n Reduce your candle risk with these precautions:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Live Christmas trees dry out quickly, especially when your attention is divided between decorating and packing. According to the Burn Institute, fire departments respond to <\/span>around 160 Christmas tree fires<\/b> each year, with nearly half caused by electrical issues.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Follow these tips to keep your tree safe:<\/span><\/p>\n If you\u2019re preparing for a move, you may not want to decorate heavily. But if lights and ornaments are part of your tradition, you can still decorate safely.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>Try these safe-decorating tips:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>Yes. Moves bring more flammable materials into your home, increase clutter, and make it easier to overlook safety tasks, creating a perfect storm for fire risk.<\/span><\/p>\n Cardboard boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap, tape scraps, and Styrofoam peanuts all burn quickly and can spread fire fast.<\/span>\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n At least three feet away from fireplaces, space heaters, candles, and stovetops.<\/span><\/p>\n LED flameless candles are the safest choice. They create the same warm glow without any open flames.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>Daily. A dry tree can catch fire in seconds.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>Yes. Simple or minimalist decorations reduce fire hazards and make packing easier.<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>Turn off the burner and cover the pan with a lid or baking sheet. Never use water, as it can make the fire worse.<\/span><\/p>\nKeep Packing Materials Under Control<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Avoid Holiday Distractions<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Cook and Bake With Extra Care<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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\u00a0<\/b>Use Holiday Candles Safely<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Maintain a Safe Holiday Tree<\/b><\/h2>\n
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Decorate With Safety in Mind<\/b><\/h2>\n
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\u00a0<\/b>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Holiday Home Safety and Preventing House Fires<\/b><\/h2>\n
\u00a0<\/span>Are holiday fires more common during a move?<\/b><\/h3>\n
What packing supplies are most flammable?<\/b><\/h3>\n
How far should packing materials be kept from heat sources?<\/b><\/h3>\n
What is the safest alternative to traditional candles?<\/b><\/h3>\n
How often should I water a real Christmas tree?<\/b><\/h3>\n
Should I limit decorations if I\u2019m preparing for a move?<\/b><\/h3>\n
What should I do if a pan catches fire while cooking?<\/b><\/h3>\n
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