We understand that right now your top priority is finding the right costumes for the trick or treaters, but this is Fire Prevention Week (October 6-12) so it’s also a great time to talk about fire safety to prevent emergencies during the upcoming holiday season.
Baking & Cooking
Who doesn’t love holiday treats and meals? But kitchen fires are a very real danger. Please keep a few things in mind while you are slaving away over that hot stove/oven:
- Keep anything flammable away from the hot stove
- Clean up greasy spills immediately
- Deep fry turkeys well away from buildings & trees
- Make sure the turkey is completely thawed
If your Auburn, Opelika, or Montgomery, AL home is like most, the children love to help in the kitchen. Especially around the holidays. Make sure they understand the risks and supervise them closely.
Oh Christmas Tree
Many people really love having a real Christmas tree and that’s great. Just be aware of the increased fire safety risk that comes with it. Make sure to keep the tree watered so it doesn’t dry out. As a rule, do not plug more than three strings of lights into each other and throw away any light strings that appear to be worn or broken.
Candles
If you celebrate Hanukkah or Kwanzaa, you likely use a menorah or a kinara. There are electrical versions, but many people prefer to use real candles. That’s fine, but just make sure the candles are at least three feet away from anything flammable like curtains or wrapping paper.
Fireplaces
There’s nothing better than gathering around a roaring fireplace and singing Christmas carols. Just don’t get careless. Remember these safety tips:
- Use a fireplace screen to prevent embers
- Keep all flammable materials well away from the fire
- Do not burn boxes & wrapping paper in the fireplace
- Make sure the fire is completely out before going to sleep
A good piece of holiday maintenance advice is to have the fireplace chimney inspected by a chimney sweep to guard against chimney fires.
Stay Safe & Sound
The best way to prevent any holiday emergencies is common sense prevention. You can depend on Dixie Electric, Plumbing & Air to keep you safe and comfortable during the holiday season and year-round. Be sure to like and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
