From lights to cooking, 4 tips to help celebrate the holiday season safely in Wilmington
With the holiday season in full swing, many homes are coming alive with decorations, gatherings of friends and family, and delicious meals.
Though, it's important to remember that the holiday season also brings an increased risk of fire hazards.
Nationally, U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 790 home structure fires per year started by decorations, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Candle fires and home cooking fires also peak during holiday months.
Knowing these four essential safety tips recommended by the NFPA can help you enjoy the holiday season safely.
1. Be mindful of the lights you choose to include in your decor.
Determine whether lights are labeled exclusively for indoor or outdoor use and use them in the appropriate environments.
Replace light strings with worn or broken cords or with bulb connections that are loose.
Do not use nails to hang strings of lights to prevent damage to the cords.
Refer to manufacturer instructions to determine the number of light cords that are safe to connect.
Unplug string lights before leaving the home or going to bed, especially those used to decorate Christmas trees
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2. Light and place candles safely around the home.
More than one-third of home decorations fires are started by candles, according to the NFPA. Candle fires peak during the months of December and January.
Keep lit candles at least one foot away from decor and other flammable materials.
Blow out any candles when you are leaving the room or going to bed.
Never use lit candles to decorate Christmas trees.
Do not leave children or pets unattended in rooms with lit candles.
Use sturdy candle holders that will not easily fall over.
Keep matches and lighters up high and locked away from children.
Place lit menorahs on sturdy surfaces that will not be easily knocked over.
3. Choose, decorate and discard Christmas trees carefully.
In 2022, over 22 million people across the United States were projected to buy live Christmas trees, according to the National Christmas Tree Association.
These popular decorations add cheer and celebration to the season. Though, it's crucial for people to pay attention to a few key factors when selecting, decorating, and responsibly discarding of trees in order to ensure safety.
When searching for the perfect tree, make sure to look for fresh green needles that do not fall off when touched.
Cut two inches off the base of the tree trunk before placing it into a stand.
Add water to your tree stand daily to prevent it from drying out.
Do not place trees directly near or in front of exits.
Keep trees at least three feet away from any potential heat sources, including fireplaces, candles, radiators, heat vents, and lights.
When decorating the tree with lights, choose a brand listed by a qualified testing laboratory.
Dried out Christmas trees are a danger for home fires. Do not leave dried Christmas trees in the home, garage, or leaning against the outside of the house. Instead, find a Christmas tree recycling program to properly dispose of your tree after the holiday season.
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4. Cook with care.
Cooking serves as a wonderful way to relax, be creative, and connect with friends and family.
Unfortunately, cooking is also the number one cause of home fires and injuries in the United States, according to the NFPA. Most cooking fires involve the use of a kitchen stove.
When cooking and entertaining this holiday season, remember these tips:
Do not use a kitchen stove when you are tired or after consuming alcohol.
Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling or broiling. If you leave the kitchen. even shortly, turn off the stove.
Use a timer to remind yourself you are cooking and to remember when food items are ready.
Keep flammable items away from your stovetop.
Keep children at least three feet away from hot stovetops and other hot food preparation devices.
In the case of small grease fire, smother the flames with a pan lid and turn off all burners, leaving the pan covered until it has completely cooled.
In the case of an over fire, turn off the oven and leave the door completely closed.
If you have doubts about controlling a kitchen fire, leave the home immediately and call 911 after exiting. Close the door behind you, if possible, to help contain the fire.
Other resources
For more information, refer to these resources:
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Tips for celebrating the holidays safely with lights, cooking, candles
