Christmas Fire Safety Tips

11/28/2017 (Permalink)

Christmas Fire Safety Tips

With the Christmas holiday upon us, now is a good time to review some fire safety tips to help you and your family stay safe while celebrating the holiday.  With the hustle and bustle of the holiday also comes dinners with family, candles, decorations, and don’t forget the Christmas tree!  Some simple prevention steps can aid in helping you prevent a fire in your home.

• Did you know that half of holiday decoration fires are due to decorations being placed too close to a heat source?  Make sure when you decorate to keep those decorations a safe distance from fireplaces, candles, stoves, and any other heat source. 
• Be sure you check out those lights before you hang them.  Look for frayed or damaged cords, if your lights have them throw them away!
• If you prefer a live tree, make sure you water it every day.  A dry tree is a dangerous tree.
• If you use candles, consider the flameless option.  They can give the same ambiance as a real candle and there are even ones that smell!  If you do use the real thing, make sure they are in stable holders and are put somewhere they can’t be knocked over or are placed too close to something which may catch fire.
• Keep an eye on that stove and be careful of wearing loose clothing while cooking.  Accidents happen and a too flowy sleeve or robe arm can be easily caught by a stovetop flame.
• Let’s talk turkey…deep fried turkey.  If your preference is a deep fried bird, make sure you thoroughly thaw it before dunking it in the hot oil.  It will cause spatter that often leads to fire, and if you’re in the garage that’s not good.
• Speaking of the garage, you probably shouldn’t be frying that bird in the garage.  Find an open spot a safe distance away from structures. 

For more fire safety tips visit usfa.fema.gov