Holiday Fire Safety Tips

Festive decorations, twinkling lights, and winter greens are part of the holiday season, but they also pose fire risks that can turn the celebrations into a disaster.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) offers important holiday fire safety tips to help prevent accidents and protect families during the festive season. Here are some key recommendations:

1. Christmas Trees

• Choose a fresh tree: When selecting a real Christmas tree, make sure it’s fresh and green. The needles should be hard to pull from the branches and should not break easily when bent.
• Water your tree daily: A dry tree is a fire hazard. Make sure your tree stand holds enough water and keep it well-watered throughout the holiday season.
• Keep trees away from heat sources: Place your tree away from heat sources such as radiators, fireplaces, and candles. Ensure that it’s at least three feet away from any heat source.
• Dispose of the tree properly: After the holidays, take your tree to a recycling center or have it picked up by your local waste management service. Do not leave it in your home, garage, or near a heat source.

2. Lights

• Inspect lights before use: Check all lights for damaged wires, broken bulbs, or exposed wiring. Replace any lights that are damaged.
• Turn off lights when you leave the room: Never leave lights on when you’re not home or when you go to bed. This is especially important for indoor and outdoor decorative lighting.
• Use UL-listed lights: Only use lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory, like UL (Underwriters Laboratories).
• Don’t overload electrical outlets: Plug no more than three light strands into a single outlet to avoid overloading the circuit and creating a fire hazard.

3. Candles

• Keep candles away from flammable materials: Never place candles near anything that can catch fire, such as curtains, paper, or decorations.
• Never leave candles unattended: Always extinguish candles before leaving a room or going to bed. Consider using flameless candles as a safer alternative.
• Keep candles out of reach of children and pets: Ensure that candles are placed in stable holders, and keep them away from children and pets to prevent accidents.

4. Cooking Safety

• Stay in the kitchen while cooking: Most kitchen fires start when cooking is left unattended. Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling, or broiling food.
• Keep combustibles away from the stovetop: Towels, pot holders, and other items should be kept away from hot surfaces. Also, keep the stove and oven clean of grease buildup.
• Have a fire extinguisher handy: Make sure you have a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen and know how to use it in case of a small fire.

5. Fireplace and Heating Safety

• Use a screen or glass door in front of the fireplace: A fireplace screen or glass door will prevent sparks from escaping and starting a fire.
• Dispose of ashes safely: Never discard hot ashes in a trash can. Place them in a metal container with a lid and store it outside, away from any structure.
• Inspect heating equipment: Ensure space heaters are in good working condition and are kept away from flammable materials like paper, blankets, and furniture.

6. General Home Safety

• Check smoke alarms: Test your smoke alarms to ensure they are working. Replace the batteries if needed.
• Have an emergency plan: Plan and practice an escape route with your family in case of fire, and make sure everyone knows where to go if you need to leave the house quickly.
• Keep fire extinguishers accessible: Make sure fire extinguishers are in easily accessible areas, particularly in the kitchen and near heating sources.

7. Outdoor Safety

• Keep outdoor decorations safe: Use outdoor-rated lights and decorations for your exterior, and ensure they are safe from moisture and damage by using weatherproof extension cords.
• Keep pathways clear: Make sure walkways and driveways are clear of snow and ice to prevent slips and falls, and avoid electrical hazards with outdoor lighting.

By following these safety tips, you can ensure a safer holiday season for you and your loved ones while enjoying the festive decorations and traditions. The NFPA’s advice emphasizes the importance of being cautious and proactive in fire prevention during this time of year.