1 Christmas Tree
If you have a live tree inside your home, please check the water daily. It’s a great chore for kids for the month of December. If your tree is artificial, please double check to make sure it is fire retardant. Here is a recipe to ensure your tree is fire retardant
2 Outlets
Don’t overload outlets with holiday lights and make sure all electrical wires are in working order.
3 Smoke Detectors
Setting the clocks forwards and backwards is a great time to check smoke detectors, but so are the holidays. Consider changing out batteries and doing a check on all detectors inside your houses. They should be placed on each level of your home. If you need help with this, consider contacting our station for assistance.
4 Heat Sources
Fireplaces and wood burning stoves are running strong this winter, please put the hot ashes from those units in a metal bucket and store away from the home.
5 Candles
Burning candles? Make sure they are far enough away from anything that could catch fire and double check to make sure all are blown out before heading to bed. The American Red Cross says candle fires are four times more likely to occur over the holidays.
6 Lights
The holiday lights are beautiful, but please consider unplugging before you turn in for the night. Also, double check to make sure those lights aren’t broken, cracked or have bare spots on the strands.
7 Wood Burning
Seasoned wood is the best thing for you to burn. It’s not wise to throw wrapping paper and other debris in your fireplace or wood-burning stove to eliminate waste.
8 Food
Consider setting a timer on your phone to alert you, in case you forget something is on the stove. Statistics prove unattended cooking is the leading cause of holiday fires this season.
9 Decoration Placement
Ensure all of your exits are clear and do not block any doors with trees, displays or any other type of holiday decor.
10 All Trees
Make sure your tree is at least three feet away from heat sources and at the end of the holiday season, consider tossing out the tree before the New Year. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says holiday trees contribute to 400 fires every season.