10 Tips for Holiday Fire Safety

You can keep your family and friends safe for the holidays by following these safety tips.

• Make sure you have working smoke, fire and CO detectors. And make sure you install fresh batteries.
• If you use your fireplace, make sure it cleaned and always use a fireplace screen.
• Never burn wrapping paper, boxes, or any type of trash in your fireplace.
• Don’t leave a fire unattended; in the fireplace put it out before going to bed.
• Candles are beautiful, but make sure they are in stable and secure holders and keep them away from combustible materials and small children. Never leave candles burning unattended.
• If you have a real Christmas tree, put it in a stable stand and keep it fresh by checking water level daily. Keep the tree away from heat sources that could dry it out. Most trees dry out in 2 weeks, so don’t leave your tree up too long past the holidays.
• Check all holiday lights for cracks and broken bulbs, frayed wires and lose plugs. Make sure all lights are UL and or FM approved.
• Never use indoor lights outside.
• Keep space heaters at least 3 feet from walls and anything combustible. Never use an extension cord to supply a space heater.
• Prepare and practices a home fire escape plan, and have a meeting place outside.
• Make sure your house has address numbers and can easily be seen from street, so Fire, EMS, Police and Santa can find your house.