The Holidays are a wonderful time of the year. Unfortunately about 50,000 homes catch fire during this season.
Here are things you can do to protect your family and home.
- Place Christmas trees and other holiday decorations at least three feet away from heat sources like fireplaces, portable heaters, radiators and candles.
- Purchase flame retardant metallic or artificial trees. If you purchase a real tree, make sure that it has fresh, green needles that aren’t easily broken. Keep live trees as moist as possible by giving them plenty of water.
- Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant and use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get frayed or damaged.
- Keep anything that can catch on fire—pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels or curtains—away from your stove top.
- Designate one person to walk around your home to make sure that all candles and smoking materials are properly extinguished each night before going to sleep.
- Ensure all smoke alarms are working properly. Smoke alarms should be installed near your kitchen, on each level of your home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed.
- Purchase half a dozen small fire extinguishers and place them around the house. Hold a safety afternoon to show every home member how to use them.
Finally include 1-2 items that will improve the safety of your home to local hazards in your New Year resolutions. Perhaps replacing the old roof with a Fortified roof or installing a wind resistant garage door. Its the best gift you can give to your family.
Happy and Safe Holidays!
