One of the emergencies that could occur during holidays is fire. Without adequate precaution this has a potential to turn a happy holiday to a sad one. Here are potential causes of holiday fire and how to prevent them:

Christmas lights
While this makes our holiday decorations look beautiful, they can turn the tide in a matter of seconds. Therefore always check Christmas lights are in good condition before purchase. If reusing an old one, check for exposed wiring. It is also advised that when you have to leave home or go to bed, you need to turn them off.

Holiday Cooking
Lots of cooking accompanies holidays because of visits by family and friends. As harmless as cooking looks, distraction and tiredness could turn it to a holiday fire. Distraction from children and mobile devices could lead to mistakes. Also too much workload in preparation for the holiday could make the cook tired and fall asleep while something is cooking. This is a recipe for disaster. Therefore, as much as possible, avoid distractions while cooking. It is also important to pace one’s workload to prevent fatigue. Also, turn off gas cylinders when not in use to prevent an explosion.

Faulty wiring in cars/homes
Few days ago, at a church event there was an emergency call about a car burning. Timely intervention by church members prevented a total burn. Imagine if this had happened at night, the fire might have spread to houses. Always ensure that your car is serviced by a professional to reduce the tendency for error. If you feel something is not right, get it checked immediately. For the home, if there has been a recent purchase of an electronic gadget for the holidays, it should be fixed by a professional to avoid wrong wiring.

Decorative candles
Candles are used during the holidays for a variety of reasons ranging from fragrance to romance. However, they can lead to fire if placed too close to flammable material. They should be placed in appropriate holders and away from curtains, books, bed and furniture.

Do you know more causes of holiday fire around the home? Feel free to share