The holiday season is a time for family and friends to get together. That also means there is an increase risk to fire. We’ve pulled together few simple steps to help ensure a fire-safe holiday season.
Holiday Decorations
- Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
- Most lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both. Check the labels to be sure.
- Use clips, not nailsto hang lights. Nails can cause damage to the lights.
- Read the manufacturer’s instructionsfor the maximum number of light strands you can connect together.
Holiday Entertaining
- Tell your overnight guestsabout your homes’ fire escape plan.
- Two of every five home decoration fires are started by candles. Don’t leave an open flame unattended!
- Stay in the kitchenwhen cooking on the stovetop, it’s easy to get distracted and forget to watch what’s cooking.
- Do not put wrapping paperin fire places or near heat vents.
Christmas Tree
- Make sure your tree isat least three feet away from things like fireplaces, radiators, candles, and heat vents.
- Make sure your tree is not blocking an exit.
- Add water daily!Keeping your tree fresh will help prevent it from drying out and becoming more of a fire hazard.
- Use lights that are marked “Tested by a Qualified Testing Laboratory”.
- Turn off your Christmas tree lightsbefore leaving your home or going to bed.
- Do not discard your treein your garage, even for a short period. Dried-out trees are a fire danger.
Our wish for everyone is for a festive and safe holiday season.
