The time has come for holiday lights and decorations to make our homes beautiful and festive. As the anticipation builds for the fun times that lie ahead, make sure to keep safety in mind. You don’t want a sudden fire, electrical issue, or injury to wreak havoc on your holiday plans.

Our timeless holiday decorations like trees, lights, and candles increase the risk of home fires during the holidays. December is the peak time for home fires involving candles and holiday decorations.

Cooking is the leading cause of reported home fires and home fire injuries, and the second leading cause of home fire deaths. Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

Ericka Vacaflores, Disaster Preparedness Specialist for the American Red Cross of Eastern New York, stresses the significance of being prepared and secure. “I recommend everyone take a moment to learn some cooking safety tips.”

“If a fire occurs in your home, GET OUT, STAY OUT, and CALL FOR HELP. Never go back inside for anything or anyone,” she said. Learn more about how to prevent home fires, escape from a home fire in 2 minutes by developing your own escape plan, and recover after a home fire.

Be Careful in the Kitchen

  • Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling, or broiling food. If you must leave the kitchen for even a short period of time, turn off the stove.
  • Use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on.
  • Avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.
  • Keep kids and pets at least three feet away from cooking areas.
  • Keep anything that can catch on fire — potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels or curtains — away from your stove top and oven or any other appliance that generates heat.
  • Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup.
  • Consider purchasing a fire extinguisher to keep in your kitchen.
  • Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving home to make sure all stoves, ovens and small appliances are turned off.

Regardless of the holiday you celebrate, remember these essential steps to stay safe and prevent fires.

Ensuring Fire Safety: How to Properly Manage and Enjoy Candlelight

It’s important to remember that a candle is an open flame, which means that it can easily ignite anything that can burn. Always extinguish candles before leaving home or going to bed.

Consider using electric menorah and kinaras, but if you prefer traditional candles, you can still celebrate safely. Place your menorah or kinara on a non-flammable surface to catch the melting candle wax, such as a tray lined with aluminum foil.

Avoid Decoration Disasters 

  • Check all holiday light cords to ensure they are not frayed or broken.
  • Always ensure outside decorations are for outdoor use and fasten lights securely to your home or trees. If using hooks or nails outside make sure they are insulated to avoid an electrocution or fire hazard.
  • Be careful when choosing decorations, and make sure they are flame resistant and flame retardant. Over the years, that resistance wears down, so replacing decorations is important for safety.
  • Don’t fall for your holiday decorations. Have good, stable placement when using a ladder and wear shoes that allow for good traction. Stringing lights from a ladder takes patience and balance. Always have a helper or two to balance the ladder and assist as needed.
  • Remember to hang he stockings with care. Do not light the fireplace if hanging stockings or other decorations on the mantel.

ENSURE A MERRY CHRISTMAS WITH THESE TREE SAFETY TRIPS

  • If getting a live tree, make sure it’s fresh. To test if the tree is fresh, bend the needles up and down to make sure no needles fall off.  Live trees need water, and lots of it! Check your tree’s water level daily because dry needles and wood catch fire easily.
  • If buying an artificial tree, look for a fire-resistant label. When putting it up, keep it away from fireplaces, radiators and other sources of heat. Never use electric lights on metallic trees.
  • Use only sturdy tree stands designed not to tip over. Keep curious pets and children away from Christmas trees. Make sure they enjoy viewing the tree from a distance.
  • Get rid of your tree right after Christmas – or when it’s dry – look for community recycling programs for disposal of your tree.

All of us at the American Red Cross, Eastern New York Region, wish you a joyful,  and safe holiday season.