According to the U.S. Fire Administration, residential fires peak during the winter months. They estimate more than 400 holiday fires occur in American homes each year, resulting in dozens of deaths and injuries. The following tips, offered by the USFA and National Fire Protection Association, can help prevent your holiday celebration from going up in flames.
Christmas Trees
•Ensure artificial trees are labeled, certified or identified by the manufacturer as fire retardant.
•Choose fresh trees with green needles that do not fall off when touched, and trim one to two inches from the base of the trunk before placing the tree in a stand.
•Place trees at least three feet from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heating vents or lights.
•Add water to tree stands daily.
•Never use lit candles to decorate trees, and keep lighters, matches and other sources of open flame far away from trees.
•When a tree begins shedding needles, it's time to dispose of it. Dried-out trees are a fire hazard and shouldn't be left inside or outside the home or garage. Check your local news agencies to find a tree-recycling program.
Holiday Lights
•Before use, inspect holiday lights for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in insulation, broken or cracked sockets and excessive kinking or wear. All lights should be marked as safe by an approved testing laboratory.
•Never connect more than three light strands together unless the directions indicate doing so is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into an outlet. Periodically check wires to ensure they are not warm to the touch.
•Never leave holiday lights unattended while on.
•Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent wear.
Holiday Decorations
•All decorations should be nonflammable or flame retardant and placed away from heating vents.
•Never burn wrapping paper in a fireplace -- doing so can result in a very large fire that involves the chimney.
•Ensure trees and other holiday decorations do not block exits. In the event of a fire, time is of the essence. A blocked entry or exit puts you and your Family at risk.
•Avoid using lit candles. If you do burn them, ensure they are in stable holders and placed out of easy reach to prevent them being accidentally knocked down. Never leave candles burning unattended.
Cooking
•Keep towels, potholders and curtains away from open flames, ovens and stovetops.
•Never leave cooking food on the stove. A serious fire can start in seconds.
•Clean cooking surfaces regularly to prevent grease buildup.
•Never use a stove or oven to heat your home.
•Double-check the kitchen before you go to bed or leave the house to ensure all appliances are off.
•Always wear short or tight-fitting sleeves when cooking.
•Heat cooking oil slowly to avoid burns from spattering grease, and be extra careful when cooking deep-fried food.
•If a cooking fire starts, turn off the stove or burner and place a lid on the pan to smother the flames. Never throw water on a grease fire!
Fireworks
•The best way to enjoy fireworks is to visit public displays put on by professionals who know how to handle fireworks safely.
•If you plan to use fireworks, make sure they are legal in your area.
•Never light fireworks indoors or near dry grass.
•Always have a bucket of water and/or a fire extinguisher nearby. Know how to operate fire extinguishers properly.
•Never wear loose clothing when using fireworks.
•Stand several feet from lit fireworks. If a device does not go off, do not stand over it to investigate. Douse the device with water and dispose of it.
•Always read the directions and warning labels on fireworks. If a device is not marked with contents, directions and a warning label, do not light it.
•Supervise children around fireworks at all times.
While preventing fires is extremely important, you must also be prepared in case a fire does occur. One of the best ways you can protect yourself and your loved ones is to install smoke alarms throughout your home. According to the NFPA, nearly two-thirds of home fire deaths occur in homes with no smoke alarms or working detectors. Pick up new batteries as part of your holiday shopping and test alarms before festivities begin. Also, ensure your Family knows what to do in the event of a fire. Prepare an evacuation plan with at least two escape routes identified from each room and practice it often.
However you choose to celebrate your holiday, take time to work fire prevention into your plans. The new year is waiting -- welcome it safely
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