November 27, 2024

Keep your family safe and your holiday season merry with these fire and electrical safety tips.

Cooking safety in the kitchen

The kitchen is often the heart of holiday celebrations, but it can also be a hot spot for fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), cooking equipment is the leading cause of home fires, accounting for nearly 20% of holiday-related incidents. Here's how to stay safe.

• Never leave burners or the oven unattended.
• Keep a fire extinguisher nearby for emergencies.
• Ensure children stay away from the kitchen, where hot appliances and sharp utensils can pose risks.
• Install smoke detectors at least 10 feet away from cooking appliances and test them monthly to ensure they're working.

Holiday lighting safety

Holiday lights and decorations seem to go up earlier each year. These decorative lights add cheer to the season, but safety is key. Follow these decorating tips to make your holiday season safer.

• Purchase lights from reputable retailers and ensure they are approved by recognized testing labs like UL or CSA.
• When decorating outside, use only lights, cords, animated displays, inflatables, and decorations rated for outdoor use. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to use them.
• Never string more strands of lights together than recommended by the manufacturer. Avoid plugging too many devices into a single outlet.
• Check for broken sockets and frayed wires before use.
• Do not staple or nail through light strings or electrical cords. Use plastic or insulated hooks to hang lights.
• Use circuits equipped with ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) for outdoor lights.
• Avoid water and snow when using extension cords and outdoor lights.
• Stay at least 10 feet away from power lines while hanging lights.
• Turn off or unplug indoor and outdoor decorations when going to bed or leaving the house. Consider using a timer.

Be aware of holiday fire risks

The combination of candles, fireplaces, and flammable decorations increases the risk of fires during the holidays. On average, fire departments respond to 150 Christmas tree-related fires and 790 decoration-related fires annually, according to the NFPA.

Candle safety

Candles are a part of the celebration of many holidays this time of the year. Their soft, warm light brightens the winter season. Exercise caution, though, when using them for your festivities.

• Only burn candles where you can keep an eye on them.
• Extinguish candles before going to bed, leaving the room, or leaving the house.
• Use heat-resistant surfaces for candles, placing them out of reach of children and pets.
• Keep candles away from flammable items like trees, decorations, curtains, and furniture.
• Opt for battery-operated candles near flammable objects.

Christmas tree fire prevention

A beautiful Christmas tree adds to the festive spirit, but it's essential to ensure it's safe. Use care when placing and decorating trees inside your home.

• Choose a fresh tree. Fresh trees have needles that are hard to pull from branches and have a sticky trunk bottom.
• Keep the tree away from heat sources such as fireplaces, space heaters, and vents.
• Check the water level daily to prevent the tree from drying out.
• Place the tree away from high-traffic areas and doorways.
• When discarding a real tree, place it far from your home and other combustible objects, as dried trees are highly flammable
• If using an artificial tree, ensure it is labeled as fire-resistant.

Fireplace safety tips

A cozy fireplace is a holiday favorite, but it requires careful handling.

• Decorate wisely. Avoid hanging flammable decorations like stockings and greenery directly on the mantel.
• Perform annual maintenance. Have your chimney and fireplace checked and cleaned at least once a year.
• Use a screen. Install a screen to prevent embers from landing on floors or carpets.
• Burn responsibly. Never burn trees, wreaths, or wrapping paper in the fireplace, as they can ignite rapidly and cause flash fires

By following these fire and electrical safety tips, you can enjoy a joyful and safe holiday season with your loved ones. For more holiday safety advice, check out Safe Electricity's article Electrical Safety Tips for the Holidays.

Socks-and-fireplace image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay. Article and light-strand image courtesy of SafeElectricity.org with modifications by Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. Christmas tree image by Valley Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc.