7 Tips to Prevent Home Fires This Holiday

According to the United States Fire Administration, two of five home-decoration fires are caused by unattended candles, and one in four Christmas tree fires is caused by home electrical problems.

Christmas trees, candles and other decorations should be fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, candles and heat vents. (Photo: iStock)

“Practicing winter holiday safety is extremely important,” said Robert Emmons, campus safety manager for the University of Alabama at Birmingham. “It’s key to remember some basic safety tips to keep you and your family safe this season.”

Protect yourself, your home and your family from the dangers of fires during the holidays:

Give your heat sources some space

Heat sources too close to Christmas trees cause one in four winter fires, according to the USFA. The Red Cross recommends keeping your trees, candles and other decorations, such as rugs and wrapping paper, at least three feet from fireplaces, radiators filled with oil, space heaters and heat vents.

Mind your Christmas tree

Home tree fires aren’t common, the USFA says, but when they occur, they are dangerous: Someone dies in one of every 45 Christmas tree fires. The best way to prevent tree fires is to purchase a flame-retardant metallic or artificial tree, says the Red Cross, but if live trees are part of your traditions, be sure it has fresh, green needles that don’t break easily. Then, water them often to ensure they don’t dry out, which makes them more flammable.

Keep anything that can catch on fire away from stove tops and ovens. And keep an eye on that casserole. (Photo: iStock)

Cook with caution

The Red Cross advises holiday cooks to keep anything that can catch on fire, such as pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging materials and towels or curtains away from stove tops and ovens. And keep an eye on that special casserole you are making: According to the National Fire Protection Association, the leading cause of kitchen fires is unattended cooking.

“If you’re sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove or stovetop,” said Emmons. “Plus, always stay in the kitchen when you’re cooking food; if you leave the kitchen at all, be sure to turn off the stove and move anything that can catch fire away from it.”

Read all the instructions

There are limits to the number of holiday light strands you can string together, says the USFA, and each brand or model can be different. Be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions before decorating. Also, ensure your light strings are in good condition: If the cords are frayed or splitting, it is time to find replacements.

Don’t plug too many stinkgs of lights into outlets or together. Also, replace lights that have frayed cords, (Photo: iStock)

Keep an eye on your candles

In old-fashioned Christmases, real trees were lit using wax candles. Now, holiday décor is much safer, but it is still important to keep candles at least 12 inches from anything flammable and three feet from your live Christmas tree, according to the USFA. It is possible to purchase electric menorahs or kinaras, but if you prefer to use traditional flammable candles, the Red Cross recommends setting them on a nonflammable surface, such as a tray covered in aluminum foil.

Use space heaters responsibly

Follow the NFPA’s heater checklist when purchasing and setting up space heaters in your home. Nearly half of all space heater fires involve electric space heaters, so it is important to be cautious. Be sure the heater features automatic shut-off tip-over protection, and always plug it directly into a wall outlet, rather than an extension cord. Always unplug them when you leave a room or go to sleep.

“The NFPA says space heaters are involved in nearly 80 percent of fatal home fires,” said Emmons, and he recommends inspecting for loose connections and cracked or damaged plugs and cords.

Check your smoke alarm

Aside from decorating safely and smartly, smoke alarms are the first line of defense against home fires. The Red Cross recommends installing smoke alarms near kitchens, on each level of your home, near sleeping areas and both inside and outside bedrooms. Replace batteries once a year, and test the alarm each month to make sure it works properly.

Article written by Haley Herfurth of the University of Alabama at Birmingham