Home safety for the holidays
Décor
Deck the halls with holiday decorations that are made with flame-resistant, flame-retardant and non-combustible materials whenever possible. If you have small children, avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable.
Fireplace
If you’re curling up by the fire, remove all decorations from the fireplace area, and use a screen to keep sparks from flying out of the fireplace. Never leave a burning fire unattended, and make sure it’s completely out before going to bed.
Cooking
Cooking equipment is the leading cause of home fires and fire injuries, causing 49% of home fires.1 When you’re prepping your holiday meals, stay in the kitchen if you’re frying, boiling, grilling or broiling food. If you’re simmering, baking or roasting your food, check it regularly and use timers to remind you.
Lights
Before stringing your lights, make sure the bulbs work and check for frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections. Make sure your exterior lights have been certified for outdoor use, and plug outdoor electric decorations into circuits with ground-fault circuit interrupters to avoid potential shocks.
Candles
Did you know that December is the peak month for home candle fires?2 Three of every five candle fires start when things that can burn are too close to the candle, so make sure to keep candles at least one foot away from anything that can burn. Use candle holders that are sturdy, and always blow out candles when you leave the room or go to bed.
1. Report: National Fire Protection Association "Home Cooking Fires," Marty Ahrens, July 2020
2. Report: National Fire Protection Association “Candle Fires,” Marty Ahrens, May 2020
Source: https://www.nachi.org/holidaysafety.htm