The winter holidays are a time for family and friends to celebrate. However, the holidays are also a time for an increased risk of fire in your home. Following a few common sense safety tips will help to ensure that fire takes a holiday this season!
Holiday Decorating Tips
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Keep candles away from decorations and anything else that can be easily ignited.
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Choose flame retardant or flame resistant decorations if available.
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Inspect your Christmas light strings for fraying, cracking, or split wiring. Do not use light strings that are damaged.
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Choose an artificial tree this year as they are proven much safer than real trees.
- If using a real tree, remember to keep it watered. Check for dryness by plucking a needle from the treeand flex it between your thumb and forefinger, If it breaks, the tree is too dry and should be removed immediately.
Holiday Entertaining Safety Tips
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Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and replace the batteries if needed.
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Tell your guests about your home fire escape plan if they are staying overnight.
- Pay attention to holiday cooking and stay in the kitchen and keep children away from the hot stove.
- Keep smoking materials away from kids. Provide large, deep ashtrays for smokers to use. It is best if they smoke outside the home.
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Keep kids and pets away from lit candles.
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Before going to bed or leaving your home, make sure to blow out all lit candles and turn off all Christmas lights.
Did You Know?
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2 out of every 5 fires involving holiday decorations are started by candles
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Almost 50% of all fires involving holiday decorations happen because decorations are placed too close to a source of heat