All Hallows Eve

Author: danielkilburn 2020-10-29 0 Comments

Also known as Halloween.

Sadly, this is also the day before brick and mortar retailers start the Christmas assault on our senses. Tomorrow we will see an egregious overbearing flood of red, white, and green decorations everywhere we look.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the festive decorations, glitter, lights and the fantasy of a winter-wonder-land wafting through the air. The Day After Thanksgiving.

Something much more important than an early decoration fubar is the fact that the Holiday Season has one of the most preventable man-made disasters associated with it.

Home Fires

In just two minutes, a fire can become life-threatening. In five minutes, a residence can be engulfed in flames.

Learn About Fires

Fire is FAST! In less than 30 seconds a small flame can turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house or for it to be engulfed in flames.

Fire is HOT! Heat is more threatening than flames. Room temperatures in a fire can be 100 degrees at floor level and rise to 600 degrees at eye level. Inhaling this super-hot air will scorch your lungs and melt clothes to your skin.

Fire is DARK! Fire starts bright, but quickly produces black smoke and complete darkness.

Fire is DEADLY! Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do. Fire produces poisonous gases that make you disoriented and drowsy.

Holiday Fire Safety Tips

Decorations are a part of many celebrations and holiday observances. They are often seasonal or temporary. Unfortunately, fire safety is sometimes overlooked when putting up decorations.

National estimates of reported home structure fires derived from the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) and NFPA’s annual fire department experience survey show that in 2009-2013, decorations, excluding Christmas trees, were the item first ignited in an estimated average of 860 reported home structure fires per year, resulting in an annual average of one civilian fire death, 41 civilian fire injuries, and $13.4 million in direct property damage.

Candles were the heat source in 38% of the fires. The decoration was too close to a heat source such as a candle or some type of equipment in almost half (45%) of these incidents.  Decoration fires peak in December.  

For more in-depth information on House Fires: Prevention, Preparation, and Other Safety Considerations. Visit our friends at: https://www.newjerseyrealestatenetwork.com/fire-safety-guide/

Winter Holiday Safety

NFPA provides a wealth of safety information to help ensure the holiday season is a safe one.

Festive celebrations, flickering lights and winter greens are hallmarks of the holiday season, but they also present fire risks that can quickly turn this festive time of year into a devastating one. NFPA’s Winter Holiday Safety campaign works to educate the public about potential fire risks during the holidays, offering tip sheets, videos, and other resources to help everyone safely enjoy the season. 

https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Seasonal-fire-causes/Winter-holidays

I remember growing up as a child, the lights, candles, fireplaces and smells of baking. Pumpkin Pie seemed to transform the time into something mystical. The sights, sounds, and smells swaddled me in a comfortable cocoon of contentment. Believe it or not, I still react in the same way today.

Like most people, I am looking forward to the coming Holidays Season.

Post-Halloween days filled with children bouncing off the walls with sugar-induced euphoria. Tryptophan induced naps during the Thanksgiving Day football games.The sound of ripping paper flying off of the presents under the Christmas tree. And the happy memories they will all bring.

I am hoping that you and yours have many wonderful memories this coming holiday season.

Till next time

“Be Safe”

P.S. If you have not done it yet. Go to these two links, research the material, and make sure you are prepared for the upcoming holiday fire season.

https://www.newjerseyrealestatenetwork.com/fire-safety-guide/

https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Seasonal-fire-causes/Winter-holidays

P.P.S. Leave a comment.