Holiday Fire Safety Tips

October 24, 2019
Holiday Fire Safety

The time for festivities is here! From Halloween to Thanksgiving and beyond, there seems to be a celebration around every corner. While we always encourage having fun, the holiday season is also when home fires are prone to happening.

Lit candles, cooking and electrical equipment are main causes of home fires so it’s important to take precautions, so you don’t accidentally cause an incendiary incident. Follow the tips below to ensure you and your family are being safe this season.

Halloween/Fall Decor

  • Keep flammable decorations, such as cornstalks or crepe paper, away from open flames or other heat sources.
  • Use battery-operated candles or glow sticks in jack-o-lanterns.
  • If using lit candles in jack-o-lanterns, use long fireplace-style matches or a utility lighter.
  • Keep exits clear of decorations so all escape routes are accessible.

Thanksgiving

  • Make sure all smoke alarms are functioning – be sure to check on them at least once a month.
  • Keep children and flammable items, such as grocery bags or dishtowels, away from the stove and oven.
  • Clean up greasy spills in the kitchen as you go.
  • If using a deep fryer for your turkey, keep it away from your home, garage, trees or wooden structures and be sure to follow manufacturer’s instructions.

Christmas

  • If your Christmas tree is real, make sure to water it every day to keep the needles from drying out and becoming more susceptible to catching fire.
  • Always unplug holiday lights before leaving the house or going to sleep.
  • Don’t plug more than three light strings together. Use a power strip instead.
  • Discard lights that are worn, broken or have fraying wires.

Hanukkah & Kwanzaa

  • Place menorah or kinara on a non-flammable surface, such as an aluminum tray, to catch melting candle wax.
  • Don’t keep candles burning overnight or when no one is in the room to keep an eye on them.
  • Keep menorah or kinara away from flammable items, such as curtains, towels or bedsheets.

For more information regarding home fire coverage or your insurance policy, contact your insurer. You can also learn more by visiting LongandFoster.com/insurance or calling 1-866-275-4534.