Advent, Advent, Advent The Christmas Tree is Burning Fire Protection during the Christmas Season
The Christmas season fills us with a special warmth and sense of togetherness. The anticipation of festively decorated trees, twinkling lights and cozy hours in front of a crackling fireplace is in the air. But as we get into the spirit of the season, it is important to remember that the risk of fire increases significantly during the holiday season. In 2019, during the Advent and Christmas period alone, around 29,000 fires were recorded across Germany. We would like to take a closer look at the fire risks for private households and businesses during the Advent and Christmas period in this blog post. In addition, we would like to provide you with some useful tips and advice on how you can enjoy your Christmas celebrations in a safe manner and without any nasty surprises.
Choosing the Right Christmas Tree
Choosing and decorating a Christmas tree is one of the most enjoyable traditions for many families. Part of the magic of the season is the smell of fresh greenery, the twinkling lights, and the joy of decorating the tree. But in the midst of the festivities, it’s important to keep your family’s safety in mind when choosing a Christmas tree.
Basically, you have two main options: a real tree or an artificial tree. Each option has its pros and cons when it comes to fire safety.
Real trees
The freshness of the tree is an important factor. A tree that is freshly cut is much less likely to become infected than a tree that has dried out. To make sure your Christmas tree is as fresh as possible, you can perform a simple test. Carefully grasp the needles and pull gently. This is a sign that the tree is fresh if the needles stay firmly in place and do not fall off easily. Such a tree will dry out less quickly and is therefore less likely to catch fire. Another way to ensure the freshness of your tree is to buy it a few days before Christmas. It should not have dried out as much by then.
Water regularly
Keeping your tree well watered will keep it moist and increase its chances of staying fresh and safe throughout the holiday season. A well-watered tree is less likely to catch fire. This is an important contribution to fire safety in your home.
Artificial trees
If you decide to buy an artificial Christmas tree, look for models that are labeled “flame retardant. These trees are specially treated to minimize the risk of fire.
Design and detail are also important considerations in the selection of your artificial tree. Just as festive and appealing as a real tree is a tastefully designed artificial tree. You will have the opportunity to decorate your tree to your own personal taste and create a warm, inviting atmosphere that will be enjoyed by your family and guests alike.
Remember that not only will you increase your safety, but also your enjoyment of the holiday season by choosing the right tree and caring for it during the season. Your Christmas tree should be a symbol of safety and happiness for your family, as well as being beautiful to look at.
Setting Up and Decorating the Tree
Other important steps for fire safety during the holiday season include setting up and decorating your Christmas tree. Let’s take a closer look at these steps, keeping in mind both safety and the festive atmosphere.
Location of the Tree
The choice of the perfect location for your Christmas tree is not only a matter of aesthetics, but also a matter of safety.
Let’s start with a basic safety consideration. Avoid placing your Christmas tree in close proximity to any source of heat, such as a fireplace, radiator, or space heater. The heat can cause the tree to dry out more quickly, increasing the risk of fire. Moving your tree away from these heat sources will not only make it safer, but will also keep it fresher for longer.
You should also make sure your tree is stable and secure. The last thing anyone wants is for their festively decorated tree to accidentally fall over and make a mess or worse. Use a sturdy tree stand to hold the tree securely. Check the tree regularly to make sure it is upright.
In addition to being safe, the location of your tree should be aesthetically pleasing. Choose a spot in your living room that is easily visible. This will add to the festive atmosphere of the room. A central location that can be seen from all sides is often the best choice. Keep in mind that the Christmas tree is the focal point of your decorations and will create a warm and inviting atmosphere in your home.
Christmas lights
Festive lighting plays a central role in holiday decorating and adds a magical atmosphere to your home. That’s why we want to shed some light on the subject.
The first step is the quality of your holiday lighting. Choose quality lights that are approved and certified. Approved and certified products guarantee that the lights meet certain safety standards, unlike cheaper alternatives from overseas. Not only is this an investment in safety, but it is also an investment in long-lasting lights that will give you pleasure for many festive seasons to come.
Before attaching your holiday lights to the tree or around the house, carefully inspect the cords for damage. Make sure all bulbs are intact and in good working order. Replacing broken bulbs is not only important to prevent them from shorting out or overheating, but it is also important to ensure that your sea of lights will shine in all their glory.
Overloading sockets can be dangerous, as it can cause the fixture to overheat and burn. Only use multiple outlets with built-in fuses to minimize this risk. To spread the load, distribute the lights evenly among the sockets.
Remember to turn off Christmas lights when you leave the house or before you go to bed. You can automate the lights and save energy with timers or smart controls. Remember, a sleeping nose can’t smell anything, not even fire smoke.
It can be a fun and creative activity that the whole family can get involved in putting up Christmas lights. To give your home a unique festive touch, let your imagination run wild and experiment with different lighting ideas.
Avoid candles
There is no doubt that candles can create a romantic and festive atmosphere. However, it is important to exercise extreme caution when using open flames in conjunction with your Christmas tree.
A Christmas tree that has been decorated with pine greenery can be very dry, and the addition of naked flames in the form of candles can be extremely dangerous. For this reason, it is advisable to avoid placing lighted candles on the tree or in the vicinity of the tree at all times. This will greatly reduce the risk of fire and ensure the safety of your family and home.
However, use special candle holders designed for use on Christmas trees if you don’t want to miss out on the magic of candlelight. These holders are designed to hold the candles securely and stably, preventing them from falling over or shifting.
More importantly, never leave candles unattended. Make sure that you are always in the vicinity of the candles when they are burning and that you extinguish them before you leave the house or before you go to bed.
An even safer alternative to enjoy the warmth of candlelight without the danger of an open flame is to use electric candles or battery-operated LED candles. These modern options are much safer for your Christmas tree and decorations while providing the same cozy atmosphere.
Have fire safety equipment on hand
Remember, safety always comes first, and being prepared goes a long way. The foundation of your fire safety precautions should be the functionality of your smoke detectors. Check them before the holiday season to make sure they are working properly. Smoke alarms are essential to give you early warning of smoke or fire, saving valuable time to evacuate.
Another important item in your safety arsenal is an easily accessible fire extinguisher. Make sure it is maintained and ready for use. It’s not just important to have a fire extinguisher, it’s also important to know how to use it in the event of an emergency. Be sure that all members of your household are familiar with the operation of a fire extinguisher so that they can act quickly in the event of an emergency.
Remember that safety and celebration can go hand in hand. You can enjoy the holiday season while protecting your family and home with the right precautions and a well-equipped fire safety system.
For businesses
Of course, businesses also prepare for the holiday season. Putting up a Christmas tree, decorating the premises, and making an Advent wreath are all part of the festive tradition. Of course, the fire safety tips mentioned above also apply to business environments.
Beyond decorating and taking precautions, however, there is another aspect companies should consider. During the holiday season, there may only be a limited number of employees on site, or the business premises may even be completely deserted. It is important to consider safety in these special situations.
Keep escape routes clear
During the holiday season, offices may be filled with extra decorations. Make sure escape routes remain clear and accessible. This will allow for safe evacuation in the event of an emergency.
Encourage responsibility and awareness
Fire safety awareness should be promoted throughout the year. Conduct regular fire drills. Make sure your employees know what to do in the event of a fire.
Security or Emergency Contact
Make sure that either security personnel are on site during the holidays, or that an emergency contact person is available for employees to call. This will ensure a quick response in the event of an incident.
Update emergency plans
To ensure employees know what to do in the event of an incident, review and update your emergency plans. Make sure all emergency contacts are up to date.
Final words
I was recently told that a real Christmas tree must be decorated with real candles. This is also a tradition that reminds me of my grandmother, who used to decorate her Christmas tree with candles year after year. It is undoubtedly a beautiful and romantic sight that adds to the festive atmosphere.
But frankly, the security risks are just too much for me to continue this tradition. When I think about the potential dangers of open flames and the stories of Christmas tree fires with tragic results, I simply can’t make it in my conscience to have real candles burning on the tree.
Instead, I have chosen modern, safe alternatives such as electric fairy lights and LED candles. They bring just as much festive sparkle and cheer to our homes without posing such a high fire risk. So, knowing that our traditions are safe and carefree, we can enjoy the festive season to the full.
After all, Christmas is a time for togetherness and joy, and fire safety should never dampen the festive spirit. On the contrary, it allows us to enjoy the holidays safely and carefree. In both the home and the workplace, it is important to be aware of this responsibility and to take the necessary steps to minimize the risk of fire. In this way, we will be able to enjoy the Christmas season to the fullest and have our loved ones around us in safety.
See you next time,
stay safe, stay informed
Merry and safe Christmas!
Your TEAM from Instructo Consulting
