The holiday season is traditionally a festive and eventful time of year. Celebrations, family gatherings and visits from house guests often rise in number during the season.
Unfortunately, statistics show that incidents of home fires and electrical accidents typically increase during winter months. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), 30 percent of home fire and 38 percent of home fire deaths occur during the months of December, January, and February.
There are steps that can be taken to reduce the risks of death and injury from a home fire this holiday season. It is critical that families keep fire safety in mind while enjoying this festive, exciting and extremely busy time of year.
The number one cause of fire in the home is cooking, which is very common during the winter months, due largely in part to the holiday season and the entertaining that occurs. Make sure you set a timer to remind yourself that something is on the stove or in the oven. Keep hot pads and oven mitts away from the cooktop. Pot handles should be turned in over the counter to avoid getting bumped and spilled.
Heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires in the United States. More than 65,000 home fires are attributed to heating equipment each year. These fires result in hundreds of deaths, thousands of injuries and millions of dollars in property damage. While I would prefer that you don’t use space heaters at all, if you do, remember that space heaters need space. Never run a space heater in your bedroom. Turn them off and unplug them before going to bed and when you leave the room/house. Also, be sure to get your furnace serviced/cleaned every year.
If you purchase a real tree, make sure that you keep it watered and at least 3 feet away from any heat source (vents, space heaters, etc.). Only use decorative lights that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory. Make sure light bulbs, strings, and connections are not broken or damaged in any way. And always, turn the tree lights off when you go to bed or leave the house.
Take these important steps to protect your family and home from fires this holiday season. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
