Holiday Fire Safety
Every year, an average of 360,000 fires devastate homes in the U.S. Nearly half of these fires start in the kitchen. Fire prevention measures can ensure the safety of your home, your loved ones, and your community. While these precautions are necessary year round, the approaching holiday season brings with it increased opportunities for fire risk. The frequency of house fires spikes in fall and winter with the highest numbers occurring in the months of December and January. By learning the following fire safety guidelines, you can prevent unfortunate accidents from disrupting time with your loved ones this season.
Decorate Wisely
From now to the end of the year, households around the world will be celebrating holidays and observances with one another. Each holiday comes with its own unique traditions, decorations, and symbols.
Candle lighting is an important symbol for many holidays and festivities. Not only do they hold significant meaning, but the ambient light and various fragrances of candles create a comforting nostalgic atmosphere as we enjoy the chilly seasonal holidays. While they certainly brighten up the room during any celebration, they can also pose a serious hazard if left unattended. Before lighting your candles, trim the wick down to ¼ inch to avoid sparks or unruly flames. Set the candle on a stable surface out of reach of children, pets, purses and elbows that may accidentally knock it over. Candles should be put out after a maximum of 4 hours and left to cool for at least another 2 hours before being lit again. Use a candle snuffer to fully extinguish the flame and never keep a candle burning after you leave a room.
Hanging colorful lights is also a common tradition for holidays this time of year. Even now, stringed lights have begun to illuminate rows of houses, doorways, fireplaces, and shelves. When plugging in our electric lights, we often unknowingly test the limits of our outlets and extension cords. Whether you decorate for the holidays or not, take this time of the year as a reminder to inspect your cords and outlets. If you discover frayed or exposed wires, consider replacing them, unless they can be properly repaired. Check for loose plugs and fix them right away. To avoid causing further damage, make sure to not overload outlets, extension cords, or surge protectors as this can cause the plugs to loosen or overheat.
Heating Appliance Safety
When the weather cools down, space heaters can help us fight off the winter chill. However, a word of caution is warranted when it comes to our convenient heating appliances. When not used or monitored properly, they can pose a great threat to your home. Heating appliances should be turned off at all times when not in use. Generally, they should be treated the same as candles and turned off before leaving the room or house. Keep them at least 3 feet away from flammable items such as blankets to prevent the material from catching fire. In spite of the temptation to keep the space heater running to warm the room as you sleep, it is not recommended to use any heating appliance overnight as it cannot be monitored for overheating.
Cook with Caution
One of the most universal associations with fall and winter holidays is food of all kinds! Whether for holiday outings, Friendsgiving, or simply seasonal baking, this time of year is filled with food-centered traditions. As nearly 50% of all house fires are started while cooking, it is vital that we be mindful of kitchen fire safety and ensure that our gatherings remain joyful and festive.
As a rule, the stove should never be left on unmonitored. If you need to leave the room, turn off the stove or ask someone to watch it for you. Clean your cooking area as you go, removing flammable items like dish towels or recipe cards to avoid an accident. Pot and pan handles should always be turned to the back of the stove, out of reach of children. Avoid wearing loose and flowy clothing while cooking, as these can quickly catch fire, even when caution is used. Make sure the oven and stove are clean and free of grease as this buildup can ignite under high heat conditions. Use an outlet, never an extension cord, for cooking appliances! These appliances require high voltage and plugging them into an extension cord can cause sparking or overheating.
In the case of a small kitchen fire, there are a few precautions and steps to take. If you have a grease fire, never try to put it out with water, as this can cause the fire to worsen and boiling grease and water to splash, inflicting severe burns. If you can do so safely, cover the fire with a lid or a cookie sheet while wearing an oven mitt or similar heat resistance covering. For oven fires, keep the door shut and turn off all heat. If the fire grows, do not try to fight it: evacuate and call 9-1-1. When in doubt, especially for electrical fires, call the Fire Department to ensure that the fire has been properly extinguished.
Plan of Action
House fires are a dangerous threat to our families and communities. Establish a fire prevention plan of action now to help you be prepared in the future and save lives. Make sure that all flammable materials are stored safely away from heat sources. Test your smoke alarms biannually and replace the batteries regularly to ensure they are working properly. Never fully remove smoke alarms or batteries in your apartment. Smoke alarms are placed in designated spots according to safety codes and must always be operational in the event of an emergency. Do not smoke indoors or while you are drowsy or medicated, as this can lead to stray cinders or still lit cigarettes falling on flammable surfaces. Establish a household escape plan with a designated safe zone to meet in and practice this plan twice a year to ensure everyone is prepared. Teach your family members, including kids, when to dial 9-1-1 for emergencies or potential emergencies. Remember to instruct all household members on how to STOP, DROP, and ROLL if their clothing catches fire.
As we move into the holidays and prepare for the New Year, we look forward to all the new experiences to come! In order to enjoy the season fully and to be ready for all that the future has in store, we need to take precautions and preparation to keep our homes safe. Make sure to follow the recommended fire safety guidelines above and check with your local fire department’s resources to make sure your apartment is protected and you are ready in the event of an emergency.
For more information and tips on how to be prepared, visit www.ready.gov/home-fires.