Holiday Fires
The holidays are a time of fun and celebration with friends and loved ones. Unfortunately, these holiday celebrations can sometimes turn into a tragedy in the event of an accident. Holiday fires claim the lives of 400 people each year in the United States. By following proper safety measures, you can prevent the likelihood of a fire and keep your friends and loved ones safe this year. This holiday season, remember:
- Check your holiday lights for broken bulbs or sockets, frayed wires, excessive kinking, or insulation gaps. Only use lights that have been approved by a national testing laboratory. If putting lights outside, make sure that they are all-weather safe.
- Never hook multiple strands of lights together unless the directions specifically state that it is safe to do so. Lights and their cords should not get warm. Check the cords and if they are warm, unplug them.
- Never use flammable decorations. If decorating with greenery or a Christmas tree, make sure the leaves are not dry and brittle, and keep plants properly watered. Purchase other decorations that are fire-resistant.
- Do not leave candles, holiday lights, or decorations on and unattended. When leaving your home, be sure to extinguish all candles and unplug or turn off all decorations.
- Do not dispose of wrapping paper in the fireplace. This can cause a large chimney fire that can quickly get out of hand.
- Check your smoke detectors and be sure they are in good working condition. Replace the batteries if necessary.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one has been injured in a fire, contact the Pennsylvania fire injury lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 610-667-7511 to discuss your legal options.