Fire Free Holiday

HOLIDAY DECORATING

• Never use lighted candles near trees, curtains, drapes or near any potentially flammable items. Battery-operated candles are much safer to use.
• Choose decorations that are flame retardant or flame resistant.
• When choosing lights, make sure to read whether they are for indoor or outdoor use.
• When connecting a string of lights never connect more than three strings of incandescent lights. Also, read all manufacturer’s instructions for the number of LED strands that can be connected together. More than three lights may not only blow out a fuse, but can also cause a fire.
• When displaying a fresh tree, keep the stand filled with water so the tree does not dry out quickly. Dry trees can be a serious fire hazard.
• Stand your tree away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources.
• Keep combustibles at least three feet from heat sources.
• Do not overload electrical outlets.
• Protect cords from damage. Cords should never be pinched by furniture, forced into doors or windows, placed under rugs or near heat sources, attached by nails or staples.
• In the winter months, our heating, lighting, cooking, and holiday activities increase dramatically, and with them, the risk of residential fires. The information below provides facts and tips about the threat of home fires and how to avoid them.

Heating

The high cost of heating fuels and utilities have caused many Americans to search for alternative methods of home heating. Wood burning stoves are growing in popularity and space heaters are selling rapidly, or coming out of storage. Fireplaces are burning wood and man-made logs. All these methods of heating may be acceptable - but without caution, they’re a major contributing factor in residential fires.

Cooking

Families and guests tend to gather in the kitchen, but it can be the most hazardous room in the house if you don't practice safe cooking behavior. Careless use of cooking equipment, usually a range or stovetop, is the leading cause of home fires and home-fire injuries in the United States. ALWAYS have someone watching the stove!

Holiday Fire Safety

Holiday decorating goes a long way to help brighten up our wintery days and long nights. Unfortunately, decorations become a significant hazard if not used carefully. An estimated 250 home fires involving Christmas trees and another 170 involving holiday lights and other decorative lighting occur each year across the U.S. By following a few simple safety tips on electric lights, candles and Christmas trees, you can avoid creating a tragedy. Learn how to prevent a fire or what to do in case of a fire in your home.