As the holiday season brings festive decorations and cozy gatherings, it’s also a time to prioritize fire safety at home. From safely stringing holiday lights to monitoring candles and fireplaces, taking a few precautionary steps can help protect your loved ones.
The American Red Cross Southeastern Pennsylvania Region encourages everyone to follow simple steps to prevent home fires from holiday decorations.
“December is the peak time for home fires involving candles and holiday decorations,” said Jennifer Graham, regional CEO for the American Red Cross in Southeastern Pennsylvania. “Help protect your family by using battery-operated candles and practicing your two-minute escape plan with everyone in your household.”
If you do use candles, keep them away from anything that could burn, and place them out of reach of pets and children. Never leave burning candles unattended.
Check all holiday light cords to ensure they aren’t frayed or broken. Don’t string too many strands of lights together — no more than three per extension cord.
Ensure outside decorations are for outdoor use and fasten lights securely to your home or trees. If using hooks or nails outside, make sure they are insulated to avoid an electrocution or fire hazard.
If buying an artificial tree, look for a fire-resistant label. When putting it up, keep it away from fireplaces, radiators and other sources of heat. Never use electric lights on metallic trees.
If getting a live tree, make sure it’s fresh and keep it watered. To test if the tree is fresh, bend the needles up and down to make sure no needles fall off.
Never light a fireplace if hanging stockings or other decorations on the mantel.
Red Cross officials remind all Philadelphians that smoke alarms save lives, and encourage everyone to install a smoke alarm on each level of your home, near sleeping areas, and inside bedrooms. Use the test button to check smoke alarms monthly and replace all batteries at least once a year.
If you cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms or are physically unable to install one, visit redcross.org/philly or call 215-299-4029.
