Holiday Fire Safety Tips

The holidays are a wonderful time of the year full of family, friends, and great food! However, decorations, cooking, and the colder weather can create dangers for your home. We have provided some holiday fire safety tips so you can be proactive this holiday season.

Holiday Decoration Safety Tips

Holiday decorations are a great way to make your home feel extra festive! Between the trees, glitter and the flannel, these decorations can be extremely flammable. It is important to:

• Keep decorations at a safe distance from sources of heat to prevent a fire from starting.
• Place your tree at least 3 feet away from a heat source, including candles, fireplaces, radiators, heating vents, and lights.
• When decorating your tree with lights, make sure to use indoor lights that are not broken or too worn.
• To help prevent fires, remember to put your tree lights on a timer or turn them off before you go to bed every night.
• Avoid placing your tree in front of an exit, that way if there is any emergency your family can exit the home safety.

Holiday Candle Safety Tips

According to the NFPA, more than a third of home decoration fires are started by candles. Take these fire safety precautions into consideration:

• Keep lit candles away from decorations and other flammable materials.
• Be sure to never leave an open flame in an unattended room and ensure you completely put out the candle before leaving the room or going to bed.
• Keep children and pets away from candles and educate your children on the dangers of fire and how to practice fire safety.

Holiday Cooking Safety Tips

Did you know unattended cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires? The three days with highest amount of kitchen fires involving cooking equipment are Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and Christmas Eve.

• Make sure someone is always watching when cooking with an open flame or in the oven, never leave your cooking unattended.
• Be aware of the cords and appliances you are using to prevent any electrical fires.
• Always keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen.

Replace Your Alarms and Batteries

The holidays should be a relaxing time filled with friends, family, and fun. One of the most important holiday fire safety tips is to ensure your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms are working properly. Test your alarms monthly and replace the batteries every six months or as needed. Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years and carbon monoxide alarms every 5-7 years, depending on the model.  Have peace of mind during the holidays by checking your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, replacing the alarms or batteries if needed, and practicing fire safety.