Winter holidays are a time for families and friends to get together, but that also means a greater risk for fire. Following a few simple tips while entertaining and decorating will ensure a happy and fire-safe holiday season.
- Test your smoke alarms and tell guests about your home fire escape plan.
- Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop.
- Ask smokers to smoke outside, and provide large, deep ashtrays for smokers. Wet cigarette butts with water before discarding.
- Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet.
- Keep children and pets away from lit candles. Consider providing battery-operated candles for children.
- Candles should be placed in a sturdy candle holder.
- Handheld candles should not be passed from one person to another at any time.
- When lighting candles at a candle lighting service, have the person with the unlit candledip their candle into the flame of the lit candle.
- Lit candles should not be placed in windows where a blind or curtain could catch fire.
- Candles placed on or near tables, altars or shrines must be watched by an adult.
- If a candle must burn continuously, be sure it is enclosed in a glass container and placed in a sink, on a metal tray, or in a deep basin filled with water.
- Blow out lit candles when you leave the room or go to bed. Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving home or going to bed.
For additional fire safety tips, visit GarlandFire.com.
Information provided by city of Garland.