Snuff Out Chances for Holiday Mishaps
Make sure your holidays are bright and warm, but take simple safety precautions to avoid any fiery mishaps that could be costly or tragic.
Did you know that December is the peak month for home fires caused by a candle? Or that cooking fires are the most common causes of home fires? And did you know that one of every three Christmas tree fires is caused by problems with electrical wiring?
“People need to be hypervigilant about live Christmas tree safety,” said Greg Schreiner, fire marshal for the San Diego County Fire Authority.
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He also reminds people to properly dispose of their live trees when they become dried out. Sometimes people leave them outside propped against the side of the house but then they just become a hazard outside.
Here’s what to do to prevent or lessen the risk of fires at home. (Source: FEMA)
- If you have a live tree, water it daily to keep it from drying out.
- Do not place live trees next to a heat source like a fireplace or heater because it will cause the tree to dry out sooner. Make sure it is at least three feet away from any heat source.
- Do not block exits with trees in case of a fire.
- Do not connect more than three strands of lights.
- Inspect light strands for exposed wires and check to make sure they are not warm to the touch when lit.
- Do not leave holiday lights on unattended.
- Buy and use only nonflammable or flame retardant artificial trees and decorations and do not place near a heat source.
- Be careful that any stockings or decorations on a fireplace are not close to the firebox.
- Take down your tree immediately if it is dried out.
- Never leave lit candles unattended. Don’t use in bedrooms where people may fall asleep while they are still lit.
- Keep lit candles up and away from children and pets.
- Keep lit candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn. Never place in a window where curtains or blinds can ignite.
- Consider using flameless candles that look and smell like real candles.
- When cooking, always turn pot handles to the back of the stove so that they can’t be bumped and knocked down.
- Attend to your pan; don’t walk away.
- Don’t turn the heat up too high.
- Roll up your sleeves so they don’t accidentally ignite.
- Keep a pan lid or baking sheet nearby to cover the pan if it accidentally ignites.
- If a pan ignites, don’t try to move it. Put on an oven mitt and put a lid on it to smother it. Then turn off the heat.
- Keep children away from stoves.
Schreiner warns that if a fire starts, it can spread very quickly through a house.
“This is a great time to check smoke detectors. I can’t overstate the value of them, Schreiner said. “They are enormously important because if you’re asleep in the middle of the night, you can be overcome from smoke and toxic fumes before the fire even gets to you.”
To learn more about how to prevent winter holiday fires, visit the San Diego County Fire Authority web site for tips.