Did you know that the number of open-flame fires is double the average on Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day comes in second? According to the US Fire Administration reports, the higher rate of accidents is caused by electrical problems in Christmas decorations, candle fires, and Christmas trees placed too close to a heat source.
Fire-related accidents are not the only cause for concern. The freezing temperature can also damage your roof, pipes, and even the foundation of your mobile home – unless you winterize your property through these tips and tricks:
Water Pipe Freezing Prevention
- Wrap heat tape around exposed pipes to prevent them from freezing and bursting.
- Keep your thermostat no lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit (or 12 degrees Celsius) at all times to prevent your pipes from freezing.
- Disconnect all outdoor hoses and turn off all water valves.
- Letting your water trickle helps prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.
Fire safety tips involving Christmas decorations
- Electrical problems mainly cause Christmas tree fires. For this reason, never skimp on the quality of your lights and throw them away if you see frayed wires, visible signs of wear and tear, and cracked lamps.
These are the other tips to prevent holiday fires involving decorations
- Don’t use dry trees; opt for a freshly cut one that’s well-hydrated. Another option is to water it if you think it’s too dry.
- Place your tree at least 3 feet away from any heat source.
- A good rule of thumb is to use lights with the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) stamp of approval.
- Turn off lights when leaving your mobile home.
- Whenever possible, keep electrical cords hidden and out of reach of children.
- Avoid fake snow sprays; they are toxic and can cause injury when accidentally sprayed in your eyes.
Safety tips in the kitchen
Fire accidents tend to spike during the holiday season, especially on Christmas and Thanksgiving Day. However, you don’t have to be part of the statistics with these safety tips:
- When cooking or baking, don’t leave the kitchen. Keep a fire extinguisher nearby. Experts recommend that there should be at least one on every mobile home floor.
- Childproof the kitchen; remove stools near the stove, keep knives and other sharp tools out of their reach, etc. Keep hot liquids and dishes off of low tables. Or better yet, place them in the back of kitchen counters out of reach.
Keep medicines out of reach. In case of a grease fire, don’t throw water on it because the fire and oil will simply splatter across your kitchen. Simply turn off the heat source and cover the pan with a damped towel or metal lid.
Safety tips for firecrackers
The best way to prevent firecracker-related accidents is to avoid using it altogether. But if you decide to take this risk or live in a neighborhood where it’s a common part of the holiday celebration, follow the tips below.
Keep your pets and small children indoors
Light the fireworks in a remote open area. Many city ordinances don’t allow the use of fireworks in residential areas because of the risk of property damage and injury.
Don’t touch a firework that has failed to ignite. Buy products with the Common Class C rating.
Final word
With these safety tips, you can enjoy this holiday season worry-free. If you have additional safety tips that we haven’t mentioned in this blog article, please share them in the comment section below.
Meanwhile, you may want to check out this lovely neighborhood called Rancho Grande MHP, which offers excellent amenities that include a clubhouse, pool, billiards room, and on-site laundry.
Rancho Grande MHP is located right off Highway 99, which means it’s just a few minutes away from local restaurants, shops, and the famous Rancho Del Rey Golf Course. To learn more about this lovely neighborhood, call us at (209)358-6881. We look forward to hearing from you.
We look forward to hearing from you.
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