Looking for a holiday gift that shows you care? A photoelectric/ionization smoke alarm is a terrific idea. Fire deaths occur at night nine out of 10 times when people are asleep. This holiday season, give your family and friends a present that protects and watches over them all year round.
Candle care
Candles are a traditional and beautiful part of the holiday season. They are also a direct source of fire in your home, so be cautious if you choose to use them. Use nonflammable holders and position candles a safe distance from your Christmas tree and other holiday decorations. Children are always fascinated by candles and are drawn to them, so place yours safely out of children’s reach. Maple Valley Fire & Life Safety recommends that you do not use candles. Glow sticks and/or battery operated candles are the safest.
A fire-safe holiday
People gathering together is the real joy of the holiday season. Take a few moments to protect your friends and family from an unexpected tragedy. Test the smoke alarms in your home to make sure they’re working, and be certain everyone in your family knows and practices your home fire escape plan.
Christmas Tree Safety
It’s the holiday season and time to find just the right Christmas tree. Look for one that’s fresh and green. The needles should bend and not snap between your fingers. At home, find a cool spot for your tree, away from heater vents and the fireplace. A dry tree is a serious fire hazard, so water yours often. After the holidays, dispose of the tree safely at a recycling center or with your pick-up service. Do not burn your tree in the fireplace.
Cooking safety
It is always best to prevent a fire than to have to deal with one. Remember to use a moderate cooking temperature, don’t overfill the container, and if you must leave the kitchen, turn the burner off. Unattended cooking is the primary cause of kitchen fires. Over half of these are grease fires. Turn pot handles away from the front of the stove. Curious children may reach up and grab the handle, pulling the hot contents down on themselves. Don’t position handles over another burner, it may catch on fire or burn someone who touches it. Wear short sleeves or tight fitting long sleeves when cooking to reduce a clothing fire hazard. Shield yourself from scalding steam when lifting lids from hot pans. Make sure pot holders are not too close to the stove. They could catch fire! Keep ovens, broilers, stove tops, and exhaust ducts free from grease. If there is a fire in the oven – Turn off the oven and keep the oven door closed. Over half the people attempting to extinguish a kitchen fire are injured. Often the best advice is to get everyone out of the house and call the fire department, 911, from a neighbor’s house. Never try to move the pan, don’t throw water on it, and don’t put flour on it.
If you attempt to extinguish the fire, it is best to use a class ABC multipurpose fire extinguisher. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions – stay back 6-to-8 feet and be careful not to spray the grease out of the pan. Baking soda can also smother the fire. If the fire has not burned for more than 15 seconds, it may still be possible to turn the burner off and use a tight fitting lid to smother the fire, but only if the fire is still small and has not spread beyond the pan.
