Home Holiday Safety Tips

 With more cooking, decorating and rituals that include candles and open flames, the risk of house fires and pediatric burn injuries increase drastically during the month of December.

These holiday traditions can all lead to a devastating house fire when there are young children in the home. The U.S. Fire Administration reports there are approximately 128,700 fires during this festive month that account for 415 deaths and 1,650 injuries.

Burn Awareness 
According to Dr. David Herndon, M.D., with Shriners Hospitals for Children® in Galveston, there are three types of pediatric burns that are common during the holidays. They include scalds from steam or hot liquids, contact with heat or flames and electrical burns. Understanding these common injuries and how to avoid them can help your family to stay safe this season.

Holiday Fire Safety Tips
Look out for loved ones and prepare for the holiday ahead with these simple fire safety tips from Shriners Hospitals for Children:

Holiday Decorations

• Make sure your tree is at least three (3) feet away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, candles or heat vents. 
• If you have a live tree in your home, keep it well watered and remove it after the holiday or when it becomes dry.
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Holiday Lighting

• Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots and excessive kinking or wear before use. 
• Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet.

Candle Care

• Consider using battery-operated, flameless candles. 
• Never leave lit candles unattended. When using lit candles, make sure they are in stable holders and placed where they cannot be knocked down easily. 

Holiday Cooking

• Cooking is the primary cause of home fires and fire injuries, so keep an eye on what you fry. 
• Stand by your pan and turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so children cannot reach them. 
• Wear short sleeves or roll up long sleeves when cooking. 
• Keep a pan lid or cookie sheet nearby to cover the pan if it catches on fire.

Be Prepared
To protect your loved ones, make sure your home is equipped with working smoke alarms and fire extinguishers. The holiday season is a great time to change the batteries in your smoke alarms and to check fire extinguishers. 

Have an escape plan for your family and always cook with care. Most importantly, if you or your child experiences a burn, consult a physician immediately. 

The Gift of Prevention

The holiday season is a great time to spread safety awareness to all of your family and friends. Here are some gift ideas to present to loved ones, stuff stockings or to tuck under the tree:

Escape Ladder
The National Fire Protection Association recommends homeowners keep one escape ladder in each room located above the ground floor. Many models are built to stow easily under the bed or in the closet.

Smoke Detector
Some new smoke detectors offer advanced technologies, including a text message alert when a risk is detected or batteries are running low.

Flameless Candles
While a candle is always a classic gift, a flameless candle is a safer way to add ambiance to a room.

Fire ExtinguisherThis safety equipment makes a great addition for the kitchen, garage or wood shop.

Batteries
Fill those stockings with plenty of batteries to ensure smoke detectors are in working order for many months to come.

Holiday Home Safety

The following are a few tips that can keep you and your family safe while enjoying this festive season: Thanksgiving through the New Year.

Electrical Safety

Use only Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approved lights.
Avoid overloading the connections.
Do not leave Holiday lights on while unattended inside the home.
Check all light sets prior to use.
Do not use damaged light sets or extension cords.
Replace any worn light systems.
Make sure you have a working smoke detector and carbon monoxide uniton every level of your home. And a smoke detector in every bedroom.

Christmas Tree Safety

Keep your tree away from heat sources, sparks or flames.
Choose a freshly cut tree. LIVE TREES NEED WATER! Check and refill often.
Cut a few inches off the trunk before placing in water.
When your tree becomes dry, discard it promptly.
Avoid accidents by using wire or cord to secure your tree to the wall or ceiling (this will prevent it from toppling over by small children or pets).

Holiday Candle Safety

Do Not use candles near combustible materials such as curtains, drapes, bedding and or cabinets.
Do Not leave the house with candles burning.
Do Not leave children or pets unattended with a lit candle.
Do Not use candles on a Christmas tree.
Be sure that candles are in stable holders on a flat stable surface and create a 1-foot circle of safety surrounding them.

Say No To Fireworks

Be Sure Your Main Exterior Entry Way is Well Lit to Avoid Holiday Visitor Trip Hazards.

About Steve Zivolich and Guaranteed Property Inspections: www.gpinspect.com

Steve Zivolich, M.A., the owner/operator of Guaranteed Property Inspection and Mold Investigation Inc. has been providing property and environmental inspections for over 13 years in Orange County and Southern California.

Steve Z. has performed over 6,000 home inspections, mold, energy and environmental inspections and is fully certified and insured to meet all your inspection needs. He personally provides all field inspection services and as a result is able to maintain the highest Better Business Bureau rating of A+.

Steve has extensive training and years of experience as a home, mold, energy and environmental inspector that will guarantee that you receive the most thorough, state of the art and comprehensive inspection that follows current industry standards of practice and codes of ethics, a true value and education at a fair price. He conducts every inspection, as if he were moving his own family into the property. Steve also backs up every home inspection with a 90 day warranty, that is purchased on your behalf from American Home Warranty Association.

Unlike other home inspection companies, who will need to refer you to an environmental and/or energy audit contractor, Steve is a nationally certified expert that can handle the job without making you jump through hoops to hire additional people before the end of your inspection period, including the areas of: mold, asbestos, allergens, child safety, radon, formaldehyde, energy, EMF, water quality, and VOC's. As a result of his advanced training, he is able to offer a FREE energy audit and FREE mold investigation as well, with each home inspection.
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Please take the time to read through Steve's home inspector credentials and qualifications as this is so important when hiring an inspector. Don't focus on price alone, focus on value, quality, experience and professionalism. When you hire an inspector, any inspector, you are hiring their individual knowledge, experience and qualifications so make sure you hire the best, not just the cheapest. We are confident that you will be Steve's next satisfied customer.