Winter/holiday safety tips

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 resistant or flame retardant.
* Keep lit 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 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.

Courtesy of National Fire Protection Association

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