PKSD Newsletter: Risk for Fires Goes Up During the Holiday Season

December is a month typically jam-packed with shopping, decorating, parties and traveling, but it is also a time of year that sees more house fires. In fact, the number of residential fires increases not just in December, but throughout the winter months.

In addition to a greater number of house fires, there is also a disturbing increase of occupant fatalities, as people were unable to escape their burning home in time. This statistic is especially unsettling because it does not just happen in older homes, but in new construction as well.

PKSD discusses more about various household fire risks and steps you can take to help prevent them in this month’s edition of, You Should Know. Additionally, the newsletter explains how to get your free fire safety checklist and create a sensible evacuation plan for you and your family.

Increased Fire Risks, Less Time to Escape

Many household fires could have been prevented by following simple, but often-ignored, safety guidelines. During long winter months, some of the greatest residential fire threats include:

Space Heaters

Some people use space heaters as their only source of warmth, and many more utilize them for supplemental heating to keep utility costs down. However, these devices can pose an increased fire risk when:

Candles, Christmas Trees and Other Decorations
The December PKSD newsletter discusses specific risks in greater detail, but anything that emits heat or has an open flame is dangerous if it is placed near flammable objects and left unattended. Some examples include:

In addition to the increased fire hazards during the winter, it may surprise you to learn that if your house catches on fire, you and your loved ones have, on average, just three to four minutes to escape to safety. This is a huge decrease from what used to be about 10 to 15 minutes. The reduced time frame is largely the result of furniture that is made from cheaper materials and synthetic fabrics, causing fires to spread more quickly and burn hotter.

Contact PKSD With Your Legal Questions

If you have been injured in a house fire caused by someone else’s negligence, contact PKSD for a free consultation to discuss your potential legal options today. We charge no upfront fees if we take your case, and you pay us nothing unless we achieve compensation for you.

Our Wisconsin personal injury lawyers welcome the opportunity to speak with you. Our phone lines are available to take your call 24/7, or you can complete our online case evaluation form.

PKSD: 414-333-3333