Winter Holiday Safety

Winter Holidays are a time for families and friends to get together. But that also means a greater risk for fire. Following a few simple tips will ensure a happy and fire-safe holiday season

HOLIDAY DECORATING

• Be careful with holiday decorations. Choose decorations that are flame retardant or flame resistant.
• Keep candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.
• Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor use or outdoor use, but not both.
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Connect no more than three strands of mini light sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs.
• Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.
• Keep decorations away from windows and doors.

HOLIDAY ENTERTAINING

• Test your smoke alarms and tell guests about your home fire escape plan.
• Keep children and pets away from lit candles.
• Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet.
• Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop.
• Ask smokers to smoke outside. Remind smokers to keep their smoking materials with them so young children do not touch them.
• Provide large, deep ashtrays for smokers. Wet cigarette butts with water before discarding.

BeForE HEadiNG tO Bed 
Blow out lit candles when you leave the room or to go to bed. Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving home or going to bed.

FACTS
>>December is the peak time of the year for home candle fires.
>>Roughly two out of five home fires start in the kitchen.
>>Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires.