Along with the large gatherings and seasonal decorations of the winter holiday season, comes a greater risk of household fire, according to Amanda Dears, Fire and Life Safety Educator for Peterborough Fire Services.
“[Fires] are definitely more common. We do see an increase in fires over the period from December to February,” says Dears, but they are caused by a variety of reasons.
Many people will decorate their home with a tree during the winter holidays, which can come with an increased fire risk.
“If you choose to have a real Christmas tree, they do require some care to ensure they do not become too dry and create a fire hazard,” says Dears. To reduce this risk, water the “real” tree daily.
Lights, or “anything that carries a current,” also introduce a risk for fire. Dears recommends to follow the instructions associated with the lights, and to avoid using damaged bulbs.
