It’s that time of the year! The winter holiday season calls for gatherings, cooking, candles, holiday lights and freshly cut trees. Just be careful, because all that cooking and decorations can also mean a greater risk of fires.But the American Red Cross is here to help! Make sure to add these tips to your holiday preparation checklist!
- Place Christmas trees, candles, and other holiday decorations at least three feet away from heat sources (fireplaces, portable heaters, radiators, heat vents, candles).
- Always unplug tree and holiday lights before leaving home or going to bed.
- Always extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to bed, and never use lit candles to decorate a tree.
- Be careful with holiday decorations by choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
- Make sure that light strings and other decorations do not have frayed electrical cords, and always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.
- Keep anything that can catch fire (pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, towels, curtains) away from your stove top.
- And always remember… smoke alarms save lives. Install a smoke alarm near your kitchen, on each level of your home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed. Use the test button to check it each month. Replace all batteries at least once a year.
These fire safety tips are brought to you by Team Firestopper! We’re working to stop fires before they start in your community! For more information or fire tips, visit www.chicagoredcross.org/tfs or www.redcross.org/homefires!
*Fire safety facts and tips found at http://www.nfpa.org/ and www.redcross.org/homefires
