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

• Keep candles away from decorations and anything else that can be easily ignited.
• Choose flame retardant or flame resistant decorations if available.
• Inspect your Christmas light strings for fraying, cracking, or split wiring. Do not use light strings that are damaged.
• 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

• Test your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and replace the batteries if needed.
• 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.
• Keep kids and pets away from lit candles.
• 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?

• 2 out of every 5 fires involving holiday decorations are started by candles
• Almost 50% of all fires involving holiday decorations happen because decorations are placed too close to a source of heat