Did you know that Christmas trees cause 1 in every 4 winter fires in the US? This is when the Christmas trees are too close to your fireplace. This holiday season, make sure your family is safe from winter house fires.
Fire Safety Reminders
1. Make sure your tree is at least 3 feet away from a heat source like a fireplace, radiators and space heaters.
Fire Safety Tips for Your Christmas Tree
- Water your live Christmas tree every day. A dry tree catches fire easily.
- Make sure you are using the right lights. There are indoor and outdoor lights. Do not use indoor lights outside.
- Check and replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.
- When shopping for decorations, consider buying flame resistant or flame retardant.
- Keep lit candles away from decorations, curtains and things that can burn. And do not leave lit candles unattended, blow out all candles when you leave the room. Consider using flameless candles, they look very similar and are safer.
Fire Safety Tips in your Kitchen
- If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the stove or stovetop.
- Keep an eye on what you fry. Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, boiling or broiling food.
- Use a timer to remind you that you are cooking. If you are simmering, baking or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the kitchen while food is cooking.
- Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels or curtains — away from your stovetop.
- Make sure children and pets stay at least 3 feet away from a hot stove.
- Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so no one can bump them or pull them over.
- Move things that can burn away from the stove. This includes dishtowels, bags, boxes, paper and curtains.
The winter holidays are a time for families and friends to get together, even with new or reinstated restrictions due to COVID, we still want to continue our traditions. Have safe celebrations.