You Might Want to Keep These Things in Mind for The Holidays to prevent Fires
During Thanksgiving and the New Year, it’s time to celebrate around the table, make new memories, and enjoy favorite holiday traditions. Here are some fire safety tips from Red Cross chapters across America that will provide you with a safe and enjoyable holiday season.
Food preparation and baking
Having a feast at a holiday celebration is a must, but when you are cooking or baking, take precautions against kitchen fires. You should also keep children away from the stove and oven, as well as flammable items such as grocery bags. To remove an additional fire hazard, clean up greasy spills as you go. When you deep fry a turkey, keep the fryer away from any problematic items and trees, ensure the turkey is fully thawed, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your fryer.
The Christmas tree
The old fashioned way of celebrating Christmas was to light candles on live tree branches inside the home! Things have changed, but the risks remain. If you prefer real trees, be sure to water them every day because dry needles and wood are more prone to catching fire. Using many light strings is fine, but you should not connect more than three strings to each other (use a power strip instead). Remove broken or worn out light strings. Don’t forget to unplug the lights before you go to sleep or leave the house.
Menorah or Kinara
It is possible to buy electric menorahs and kinaras, but for Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, you may still prefer traditional candles. Candles should be at least 3 feet away from flammable items, such as curtains and holiday decorations. Menorahs and kinaras ought to be placed on non-flammable surfaces to catch melting wax, such as in a foil-lined tray. Lit candles should never be left unattended.
The fireplace
A fire on your hearth warms you up like nothing else during the winter months. Don’t forget to keep flames out of reach of “fuel” – such as wrapping paper, rugs, or clothing. Make sure embers and logs don’t escape the fire by using a fire screen. Before going to bed for the night, make sure that all embers have been completely put out.
Fireworks
We usually talk about firework safety for the Fourth of July, but many New Year celebrations also include fireworks. If you’ll be setting off fireworks at home, choose a location away from buildings and trees. Be sure your spectators, including children and pets, stay well back. Keep a supply of water or fire extinguisher at hand. If you live in an area that’s experiencing a drought, consider cancelling the show this year – a stray spark that lands on dry grass or leaves can lead to a wildfire.
Want More Tips or Fire Safety Help?
There are numerous different sources to gain better ideas on how to be fire safe, like the NFPA. Although who better to help you with all of that and more then White Palms Fire. We sell fire equipment and help do inspections of locations to ensure that you are fire protected. Call us today to have us help you with our fire safety tips.
