According to the National Fire Protection Association, United States fire departments responded to an annual average of 860 home structure fires that were started by holiday decorations and an additional 210 home structure fires that were started by Christmas trees between 2009-2013.

Below are two of ESFI’s great referrals to stay safe this holiday season.

Holiday Fire Prevention

Avoid the 12 Dangers of Christmas

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Fireworks cause an average of 20,000 reported fires per year. Additionally, 240 people on average go to the emergency room every day with fireworks-related injuries in the month surrounding the holiday. Sparklers seem simple and harmless without the expected crackle and boom that come with most fireworks, but the flame burns at approximately 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, which is hot enough to melt certain metals. In 2013, sparklers caused 41% of fireworks injuries.

Consumer fireworks are illegal in many areas so it’s best to check with your local police department before purchasing or using any this holiday. The safest option is to attend public displays that are put on by professionals.

Make sure you obey all local laws and read cautionary labels when it comes to fireworks. Here are a few tips if you decide to legally put on your own show.

• Legal consumer fireworks always come with a label, manufacturer’s name, warnings, and usage directions. Illegal ones are usually unlabeled and come in a brown paper bag.
• Never allow young children to play with fireworks.
• Keep your pets in mind; animals have sensitive hearing and the loud noise may stress them out.
• Always wear eye protection.
• Don’t hold them in your hand or have any part of your body over them while lighting.
• Only light one firework at a time and never relight a dud.
• Always use outside and point them away from people, homes, brush, leaves, and other flammable substances.
• Move away to a safe distance immediately after lighting one.
• Keep a bucket of water and hose nearby in case of an accident.
• Soak all fireworks in a bucket of water before throwing them away to prevent a fire.

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   First, test all smoke alarms. They can save your life if anything goes wrong.

To avoid open flame hazards, try using battery-powered candles. If you choose traditional candles, make sure they’re never left unattended or placed in an area where they may be knocked over.

Live trees embody the spirit of Christmas, but they can pose fire hazards. Make sure you purchase a fresh one and keep the stand filled with water to prevent it from drying out. And find a place to recycle your tree right after the holidays as it will dry out more and more the longer it’s up.

If you decide to buy an artificial tree, make sure it’s labeled “fire-resistant.”

Keep all decorations, especially trees, at least three feet away from heat sources.

Not only are LED lights energy-efficient, but they’re also cool to the touch, unlike incandescent bulbs. They’re also more durable, making them much safer to use for decoration.

When decorating the outside of your home, make sure all decorations and extension cords are marked for outdoor use.

Before and after hanging lights, make sure none have been damaged either in storage or while they were out. If so, toss them so you don’t accidentally use them next year.

Turn off all lights when leaving the house or going to sleep. This will prevent overheating.

Overheating can also occur if you overload an electrical outlet, so keep in mind how much you’ll be plugging in and be sure to purchase a surge protector.

We all love the holiday season, but try not to keep your decorations up for too long. They’re typically meant for temporary use and aren’t made to withstand extended periods of time exposed to weather and other damaging elements.

All light strings and extension cords should be kept dry, both while they’re out and in storage.

If you need to use a ladder, make sure it’s wooden or fiberglass as metal ones conduct electricity.

No wires or cords should be pinched in doors or windows or run under heavy furniture and rugs.

And many decorations can be harmful to young children:

          ◊ Light strings and garland are strangulation hazards

          ◊ Avoid using sharp or breakable decorations and ornaments in case a child gets hold of one

          ◊ Make sure any small (“mouth-sized”) decorations are kept out of reach

Visit Electrical Safety Foundation International‘s page on holiday safety for additional information, infographics, pictures, videos, and more.

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So before you head out the door, make sure you’ve followed these 13 important steps to keep your home safe while you’re away. There are few things worse than coming home to a disaster after a fantastic holiday.

1. Make sure all doors and windows are locked, including outbuildings, doggy doors, and the garage door. Criminals can scan electronic garage door openers to get in.

2. Try to make your house look like someone is living there – leave some of the blinds open, install and set up timers for outdoor lights, stop your newspaper and mail delivery so it doesn’t pile up, make sure your trash/recycle is brought out and taken in by someone you know, if it’s going to snow then arrange for someone to shovel, and maybe have a neighbor park in your driveway.

3. Turn your heat down, somewhere around 55-60 degrees, to conserve energy but save your pipes from freezing.

4. Turn off your water supply to minimize flood concerns.

5. Unplug unnecessary appliances like the toaster, TVs, computers, coffee machine, etc. It will save energy and protect your house in case of an electrical emergency. If you do want to leave anything plugged in, consider purchasing a surge protector.

6. Keep valuables in a safe place, especially personal and financial information as identity theft is on the rise.

7. You also might want to call your credit card companies and make them aware of your travel plans. If they see a charge out of your normal area it could raise a red flag.

8. Get rid of perishables in the refrigerator. You don’t want to come home to a smelly house.

9. Provide family, friends, and/or neighbors with your itinerary and contact information. You want to make sure they can reach you in case of emergency and they’ll know of your whereabouts in case something happens to you. You can also provide them with a spare key if you trust them to enter your house and check in.

10. Make arrangements for your pets. If you’re leaving them at home consider pet-proofing the house because they may act differently while you’re gone – put away things that may injure them, put anything up high that you don’t want them to get into, and protect fragile items. If you’re sending your pet(s) to a kennel or sitter make sure they also know when you’re picking them up and what your contact information is.

11. Make sure your plants are taken care of also – they’re living things, just like your pets!

12. If you’re going to be away for an extensive period of time, pay any bills that might be due while you’re gone.

13. And if you’re a bit paranoid, ask your community police watch service or the local police to swing by your house on a regular basis.

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