MEMPHIS, TN–(Marketwired – November 23, 2015) – As the holidays draw near, many party hosts will scramble to inspect their fine china and iron tablecloths in preparation for holiday get-togethers. This year, Furniture Medic, a leading provider of furniture repair and restoration, reminds us to follow these expert tips to protect our household furniture this holiday season.

“During the holidays most people are busy getting ready for parties and buying gifts, unaware that they may be setting the stage for their favorite pieces of furniture to suffer costly damage,” said Gina Moss, manager of technical training at Furniture Medic. “Some of the most common damages we see to finished surfaces during the holidays are actually avoidable, either by taking precautions beforehand, or knowing what to do as soon as you notice that an item has been damaged.”

Here are some of the most common culprits of damage, and Moss’s expert advice on how to protect your finished surfaces and enjoy them for holidays to come.

• Candles and Oils: If strategically situating holiday-scented candles and oils around the house is part of your decorating to-do list, be sure that each candle or oil product is kept on a tray or in a holder. This not only protects your finished surfaces from pesky spills, but placing a barrier down first also prevents any dye discoloration or damage to the finish.
• Table Décor: Nothing says “Happy Holidays” quite like a delicious meal at a festively decorated table. Unless you’re planning to celebrate all year long, be sure to avoid using plastic or vinyl placemats in your tablescape — the chemicals from the mats can leave an imprint or ghost image on the finish.
• Buffet Style: It’s a fairly common phenomenon around the holidays: people turning different pieces of furniture into makeshift buffets and tables. If you have plans for your ping-pong table this season, make a point to use trivets, thick oven mitts or even dish towels under hot casserole dishes to protect your finished surfaces from damaging white spots.
• Coasters: Drink coasters aren’t just for the ultra paranoid. If you’re hosting a holiday shindig this year, embrace your inner neat freak — sprinkle coasters in all shapes and sizes about your house to protect finished surfaces from those dreaded water rings.
• Aftermath: After all the conversations, laughs and feasts, you’ll want to do a deep cleaning of everything left in the wake. Be careful not to leave damp towels, wash cloths, even paper products soaked in cleaning spray on your finished wood surfaces to avoid permanent white spots and discoloration.

For more expert repair and restoration tips, follow the company on Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter. To contact the nearest Furniture Medic, visit www.furnituremedicbyswenson.com.

Over the years Furniture Medic has been asked to repair damage due to candles being inadvertently tipped over and damaging a piece of furniture, primarily tables.  With the holidays upon us it is appropriate to remind you about Candle Safety.  

This article is used by permission from National Property Inspections,

 www.NationalPropertyInspections.net .

Please be safe, but if you experience damage, we know how to fix.

Autumn is in full swing, the holidays are approaching, and for many people, it’s candle season. Candles can create an attractive display, whether solo or placed precisely inside or around additional décor. The ambience and aroma of candles burning in a home is pleasurable and relaxing for many people. But lets’ remember that fire is involved. Whether you are burning candles on a birthday cake, at dinner, while Christmas caroling, or while relaxing in the bath, we’d like to remind you of some simple candle safety tips:

• Make sure candles are completely snuffed and the wicks do not have hot embers or are still smoking when you throw them away. A candle that is not completely out could easily cause a fire in a trash can or other area.
• Be alert when you have candles burning. Stay in the room so you can see them quickly if they tip over or if a draft blows something into the flame. Never go to sleep with candles burning inside your home; a potential fire from the open flame could become out of control quickly.
• Never leave children or pets unattended near burning candles. A curious child could easily get burned or even drop or knock over a lit candle over. Likewise, pet tails, whiskers and floppy ears could get burned if an animal gets too close to a candle.
• When burning candles, make sure they are not located close enough to come into contact with flammable materials, such as bedding, furniture, window coverings, newspapers, mail, aerosol cans, gases and clothing.
• Place candles on level surfaces that can support their weight. Candle holders can help prevent a candle from falling over and aid in catching hot wax that may trickle down the sides of a candle. Even jarred candles need to be on level, weight-supporting surfaces, as they may slide off or tip over.

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