Holiday safety

  • Published
  • 5th Civil Engineer Squadron/Fire Prevention
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  Each year, fires occurring during the holiday season claim the lives of more than 400 people, injure an additional 1,650, and cause an estimated $990 million in damage.

Kitchen fires account for 41 percent of all residential fires, with cooking as the leading cause, followed by bedroom and heating system fires. During the winter holidays there is an increase of electrical and open flame fires, in large part as a result of Christmas trees, decorations, and the use of candles.

The following is a list of holiday decorating and lighting safety tips:
  • Use caution with holiday decorations and whenever possible, choose those made with flame-resistant, flame-retardant or non-combustible materials.
     
  • Keep candles away from decorations and other combustible materials, and do not use candles to decorate Christmas trees.
     
  • Do not leave burning candles unattended.
     
  • Lights and electrical decorations should bear the name of an independent testing lab, and follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation and maintenance.
     
  • Carefully inspect new and previously used light strings and replace damaged items before plugging lights in. Do not overload extension cords.
     
  • Check strands of lights to determine the number of strands that may be connected. Connect no more than three strands of push-in bulbs and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs.
     
  • Always unplug lights before replacing light bulbs or fuses.
     
  • Do not mount lights in any way that can damage the cord's wire insulation by using staples, clips, or nails.
     
  • Do not use electric lights on metallic trees.
     
  • Only use indirect, off-the tree lighting with metallic trees.
     
  • Use artificial tinsel and plastic ornaments to avoid shock hazards.
     
  • Keep children and pets away from light strings and electrical decorations.
     
  • Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving the house or going to bed.
Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. When cooking for the holidays and visiting with guests, remember to keep an eye on the range.

Wherever smoking, provide plenty of large, deep ashtrays and check them frequently. Cigarette butts can smolder in the trash and cause a fire, so completely douse cigarette butts with water before discarding.

After a party, always check on, between and under upholstery, cushions, and inside trash cans for cigarette butts that may be smoldering.

Keep matches and lighters up high, out of sight and reach of children, preferably in a locked cabinet.

Test your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector and let guests know what your fire escape plan is.