Winter Holiday Fire Safety

Winter Holiday Fire Safety

There is no place like home for the holidays. A few simple steps will keep your home safe for your family and guests for this holiday season.

TREE SAFETY

• Never use candles as decorations.
• 
  Keep tree away from heat sources.
• Never place a tree in front of an exit door or in a pathway leading to an exit.
• Water a cut tree daily.
• Use a “non-tip” style tree stand.
• Use only fire-retardant decorations.
• Never leave a lit tree unattended.
• Ensure a fire extinguisher is accessible away from the tree.
• Dispose of your tree properly, soon after the holiday before needles dry out.
• Artificial trees should have a fire-retardant label.

KEEP THE SEASON BRIGHT…WATCH THOSE LIGHTS!

• Unplug all lighting before going to bed or leaving the house.
• Blow out candles before leaving the room. Never leave burning candles unattended.
• Consider replacing traditional wax candles with flameless LED candles.  
• Purchase lights and electric decorations which are listed by an approved testing agency e.g. Underwriters Laboratory Inc.
• Check all lighting for frayed wires, broken plugs, sockets, etc.
• Never overload outlets. Use power strips with a built-in circuit breaker if needed.
• Never use candles on trees or near other flammable decorations.
• Never hang lights on a metallic tree.
• Always use appropriate weatherproof lights outdoors.

HOLIDAY COOKING

Kitchen

• Establish a “safety area” in your kitchen to deep small children confined and away from hot surfaces, hot liquids, and flames.
• Allow appliances to cool before putting them away.  Never wrap cords around warm appliances.
• Do not leave cooking food unattended.
• Keep all paper and cloth materials away from heat sources.
• To prevent pot handles from getting bumped or grabbed, turn them inward toward the middle of the stove.
• Be consistent in cleaning grease and food off the stove.
• Check exhaust filters for dirt and grease build-up. Clean them on a regular basis.
• Wear short or tight-fitting sleeves while cooking; loose sleeves could easily catch fire.
• Do not hold children while cooking.
• Use only microwave safe dishes in the microwave; never microwave metal dishes.