Fire Safety Tips for the Holidays

The holidays are a time for family and friends to come together and enjoy some of the most wonderful times of the year. From cooking and decorating to hanging stockings above the fireplace, there’s so much joy going around. However, most people don’t know that the holiday season is one of the most dangerous times of the year for household fires. The following tips can help put your thoughts at ease and allow you to safely enjoy this season.

1. Pay Attention When Cooking

Cooking is a major deal for the holidays but it’s also very easy to get distracted when family is in and out of the kitchen all day. An easy reminder that you have food on the stove is to take a hot pad, or pot holder with you whenever you leave the kitchen. This is a way to help remind you that there is hot food on the stove cooking. Also, it is always very smart to keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and make sure your smoke detectors are working.

2. Keep Your Tree Watered

A fun fact to know is it takes less than 30 seconds for a dry tree to go up in flames, and a Christmas tree is almost explosive when it catches on fire. A way you can reduce risk of this happening is to purchase a fresh tree that has been watered every day. If a tree is well watered it is almost near impossible for it to ignite. When picking a place to set your tree up in your house make sure it is not in front of a heat source. If you choose to have an artificial tree they’re less of a risk just make sure yours is flame-retardant.

3. Don't Use Damaged Light Strands

When decorating your tree make sure to inspect your lights. Frayed or cracked wires are a hazard and should be replaced with new lights. If you are using an extension cord make sure that it is intact as well and has no cracks or frays as well. When putting up decoration lights outside try and stay away from nails and staples. This can cause the wires to crack and break making a hazard as well.

4. Clean & Inspect Your Chimney

Don’t forget to have your chimney inspected this holiday season so Santa can come down with ease. If soot gets built up it can become flammable and no one wants that during the holiday season. Also, having a screen in front of your fireplace can prevent embers from popping out and ending up on your so you don’t have embers from popping out onto the carpet or floor. Also, remember to have an emergency kit ready just in case a fire does start. Remember it is winter time so it should have warm essentials for all family members.