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Don’t let home fires ruin your holiday season; use these handy fire prevention tips!

It’s pretty interesting that we commonly refer to the holiday season as “merry and bright” since there is one type of brightness that definitely spikes during this time of year. Home fires are all too common during the holidays. In fact, there are twice as many fires as an average day on both Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. These fires also do more damage, likely thanks to the highly flammable Christmas tree. Don’t become another statistic; use these tips for fire prevention and holiday safety in your home.

• When you cook, set timers if you’re leaving anything on the stovetop. Lots of holiday recipes require extended simmer times and it’s all too easy to forget about a pot with all of the other busyness of the season. Also, clean up any grease splatters to avoid future fires and keep a working fire extinguisher handy.
• When you choose your tree, look for a fresh one. Make sure the trunk is freshly cut and regularly water your tree. Then, keep your tree well away from any heat sources. We know candles might look nice lit on the mantle by your tree, but it’s just not worth the risk!
• When you hang your lights, read the packaging to figure out how many consecutive strands you can put together before facing an electrical hazard. The box should have a manufacturer-recommended maximum number of strands. Also, check your strands for cracked bulbs or frayed wiring before you string them up.

While our sincere hope is that you won’t have to deal with a holiday fire, we do want you to be prepared for the possibility. To make sure you have the right homeowners insurance to rise from the ashes of a fire, contact Massive Insurance. We want to give homeowners throughout the Pasadena, California area great coverage this holiday season!