Winter is quickly approaching, and the weather is turning bitter seemingly overnight. With the city’s residents putting up holiday lights and decorations and attempting to stay warm, there are plenty of additional fire risks to address this season. If you or someone you know has been a victim of an apartment fire and suffered injuries, contact an experienced Fire injury Lawyer NYC as soon as possible.
Christmas tree safety.
Christmas trees are the source of over 700 house fires each year. For those who opt to go with a real tree this year, there are a few key safety points to remember.
- Choose a fresh tree with minimal needle loss when touched, plenty of sap on the trunk, and whose branches don’t break easily when bent.
- Place the tree far away from all potential heat sources, including fireplaces, radiators, candles, or vents.
- Water your tree regularly. Constant heat in your apartment will dry it out, making it more flammable.
- When buying a fake tree, ensure it has the fire-resistant label.
Electrical fire safety.
Electrical fires are the most common fires that occur in homes and apartments during the holidays. Follow these safety tips.
- Only use lights from reputable retailers. Check that your lights are approved by a nationally recognized testing lab such as UL, Intertek or CSA. UL identifies products meeting safety requirements for indoor and outdoor use with a red holographic label, and indoor lights will have a green label.
- Never use lights with cracked bulbs or frayed wires.
- When hanging lights, ensure you don’t poke through the wire with a staple or fastener.
- Don’t overload extension cords.
- Turn off all lights when going to bed or leaving the house.
Candle safety.
Candles add to the ambiance of the holidays, but they do pose yet another fire risk. Here are some candle usage safety tips.
- Light candles on heat-resistant surfaces
- Keep them out of reach for pets and children.
- Blow out all candles when leaving the room or the house, or when going to bed.
- Only keep candles lit in areas where you can easily see them.
- Place candles a few feet away from flammable materials, such as Christmas trees, curtains, blankets, etc.
The holidays are a magical time of year, but there are inherent fire safety risks involved. If you have experienced an apartment fire, you need someone on your side to help you navigate the complicated process of reclaiming your losses.
Contacting a Fire Injury Lawyer
Fires have the potential to cause devastating and life-threatening injuries within seconds. If you or someone you know has suffered a fire injury, let us help you fight for your rights and hold those responsible accountable for your trauma and injuries. Contact our NYC Fire Injury Attorneys today for a free consultation or call 212-779-7070
