Festive celebrations of the holiday season may present fire risks that can quickly turn this festive time of year into a devastating one. It unfortunately has been found that the winter months are the leading time for home fires.
As firefighters and first responders, it’s important to educate the public about potential fire risks during the holidays, and stay prepared for what may come. People will be victims of another’s negligence and suffer serious injuries. Tragically, some may not survive those injuries. Being aware of the risk of holiday fires and accidents will allow you to better protect your community.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Prepare for serious traffic accidents during the holiday season. Historically, many lives are lost on holidays like Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day in fatal car crashes, with at least a third of these traffic fatalities being caused by drunk or impaired drivers. Many people will be driving far to visit family and friends for Thanksgiving. It’s going to be a very busy time on our interstates as well as local roadways. Everyone should be aware of the hazards we face in holiday travel.
Fires and Burn Injuries
Home injuries during the holidays are also common. Many of these incidents will be minor, causing pain that only lasts a few days, while others can be quite serious. Home holiday hazards can result in life-threatening accidents.
Of particular concern are house fires and their resulting burn injuries. As you know, burn injuries are among the most painful kinds of injuries an accident victim can experience. Even if they are not life-threatening, they can result in serious and psychologically debilitating harm to the victim.
Individuals are enjoying fireplaces and candlelight frequently at this time of year. However, using candles can lead to a fire that turns serious very quickly. Fireplaces are especially dangerous as they are often decorated with flammable seasonal items, causing a serious fire accident.
A vast number of kitchen fires happen on Thanksgiving during meal preparation. An overcrowded kitchen, cooking with long sleeves, lack of protective wear, and not utilizing counter space in a safe manner can all pose a great risk in the kitchen.
Surprisingly, a trending way to cook turkey for Thanksgiving dinner is a growing danger for fires in homes across America.Turkey fryers are advertised as a faster way to cook. However, the number of serious fires and burn injuries caused by turkey fryers is rising along with the product’s growing popularity.
About Provident FirePlus
At Provident FirePlus, we offer custom tailored packages to best protect firefighters and volunteer firefighters. We understand the risks that emergency response teams are subjected to on a daily basis, and have worked to serve these dedicated professionals for over 87 years. For more information about our products and policies, we invite you to contact our experts today at (800) 447-0360.