|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ho, Ho, Ho, Holiday greetings to you!
Every year at this time I can't help but notice the beautiful holiday lighting and adornment. It's great to see that even homes with a "For Sale" sign on the front lawn have been bedazzled with lights! But this good deed seldom goes without also decking the halls with many holiday hazards.
You may be feeling happy for the holidays, but you'll be roasting more than chestnuts if you lose respect for the dangers inherent in the season! It is sad to say, but more homes burn during December than any other month. And electricity is not the only hazard contributing to the risk.
Candles! Gosh they look so good and the scent can set the perfect holiday mood. But always remember this about candles - they are on fire! Seasonal candles on windowsills near your beautiful curtains and shears is a perfect blend for combustion. Please be sure candles are always attended when lighted, shielded by a glass enclosure, and located so the cat doesn't knock them over. And put out all candles before snuggling in for the night!
And what about space heaters! These little gems can put just the right amount of heat right where you need it. But, they can also burn the house down. Space heaters need to be in a clear space! That might even be why they call them "space" heaters, cause if they are too close to bedding, curtains, or clothing there is a fair chance of fire. Many a home has burned even with the heater in clear space. Please be careful about flinging a towel, shirt, or sheet as you climb under the covers. Any article landing on the heater is certain to burn.
While we are thinking about space heaters, be especially cautious about the misuse of kerosene-fired space heaters. These babies can really put out the heat! But please, read the directions and follow them like your life depended on it. Of special concern is ventilation. If your space heater's directions require outside air for ventilation, crack a window or what ever it takes to be compliant. The risk of death from carbon monoxide poisoning is far greater than fire. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless ensuring a sound sleep for all eternity.
Gotta love stockings hung by the fire - but gotta also be sure they are removed before the fire is a blazing! Maybe back in the day when wool stockings hung by the fire, it was not so risky, but these days those fuzzy fake flannel stockings burn better than fat lighter. So choose your effect - either stockings hung by the fireplace, or a fire in the fireplace, but certainly not both at the same time!
For some strange reason, otherwise sane and contentious homeowners decide to do their most creative electrical lighting, decorating, and wiring this time of year. Some of the more festive observations have been:
- Twelve indoor extension cords lying in a garden fountain
- Eleven lighted candles each behind a curtain
- Ten cracked cords in a single outlet
- Nine rocking reindeer sparking on a rooftop
- Eight unattended potpourri pots a bubbling and a boiling
- Seven realtors cell phones charging near a wet counter
- Six spliced wires wrapped with duct tape
- Five frosty snowmen hanging by frayed wires
- Four flood lights on a single broken fixture
- Three space heaters blowing on a Christmas tree
- Two light bulbs covered with red plastic bags
- One extension cord draped over a chimney while the fire's a blazing
Okay, I confess! I took some liberties in putting this list together. But keep in mind that electrical hazards know no season! Our friends at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSO) estimate that about 4,000 injuries associated with electric extension cords are treated in hospital emergency rooms each year. They also estimate that each year, about 3,300 residential fires originate in extension cords, killing 50 people and injuring about 270 others. The most frequent causes of such fires are short circuits, overloading, damage, and/or misuse of extension cords.
The real point is, be it in our own homes, homes we visit, or homes we list, keep an eye out for the hazards that need to be addressed. Lives depend on it. Plus, if one of your property listings burn to the ground, it makes for some very difficult disclosures!
Be safe and enjoy the holidays!
Wally Conway is President of Florida HomePro Inspections, and has been featured regularly on HGTV's "House Detective". Wally has recently written a book entitled "Secrets of the Happy Home Inspector", available at GoHomePro.com or Amazon.com. As a speaker, writer, instructor, and host of The Happy Home Inspector radio show every Saturday at 3 PM on WOKV 690, Wally blends the right amount of up-to-date information with just the right amount of humor, insight, motivation, and real-world application. Visit WallyConway.com for more information!
It's a fact; most of us feel immediately stressed and... Read More
It can be very hard to find that one perfect... Read More
Halloween is such a fun time of year for kids... Read More
While war and poor economic conditions begin to affect people... Read More
Are you looking for the Ultimate Army Themed Party Games... Read More
Even with modern technology like email and cell phones, printed... Read More
A day to reflect on the accomplishments of working people:... Read More
Many of us believe Christmas is one of the most... Read More
Birthday party supplies and decorations can bring that necessary magic... Read More
The holidays will be here before you know it. Clear... Read More
Thirteen years ago I became quite intrigued with the idea... Read More
Halloween is an exciting night for children and a busy... Read More
If you are like me, you never know what to... Read More
Mistletoe. Holiday parties. New Years kiss at midnight. This time... Read More
Few things are more thrilling for a trick-or-treater than walking... Read More
Like many people, I love the idea of making a... Read More
One thing you can count on during the holiday season... Read More
The joyous season of Christmas is steeped in tradition, and... Read More
When it comes to holiday greeting cards, to send or... Read More
Being alone for the holidays is a major challenge for... Read More
It's CHRISTmas!Where are the wise men?WOW - The wise men... Read More
Kelly was a very wealthy Hollywood actress, who was used... Read More
Do you know a Mom that deserves a special gift... Read More
"It is therefore recommended ... to set apart Thursday the... Read More
Most people are familiar with the traditional materials list that... Read More
For many people the end of a year is a... Read More
Today one of my clients is throwing one of her... Read More
History of OrnamentsIn A.D. 336, an early Roman calendar first... Read More
While most children's birthday parties are held at home, you... Read More
Depending on the age of your little ones, you may... Read More
Valentine's Day...the day of love right? Many years ago, 22... Read More
Costumes are a great way to escape reality, and wearing... Read More
Let's admit it, the US and UK are both countries... Read More
On July 4th 1776 the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration... Read More
This is my daughter's first Christmas. Naomi will be nearly... Read More
Who doesn't love being a clown? It's a great costume... Read More
Patty Lovelace Country MusicVerse #1 Through the back window of... Read More
Last year, as I turned 50, (FIVE-OOOH!!!), I decided to... Read More
You may be wondering why I would call this article... Read More
Holidays may come and go but some holidays, like Christmas,... Read More
Most of the plants we associate with the holiday season... Read More
Every year I vow to make Christmas easier, simpler -... Read More
I have walked through a countless number of stores searching... Read More
When searching for Angel Costumes, there are so many choices... Read More
Are you ready for Mother's Day? Yes I realize it's... Read More
New Years Resolutions: Making them is a tradition -keeping of... Read More
Let's take a look at a typical Christmas To-Do list:... Read More
"Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving... Read More
When Halloween comes around and you want to throw a... Read More
Do you remember the days when your mother used to... Read More
Holiday |