The American Red Cross urges families to follow simple safety tips to keep the season merry and to prevent holiday fires. During the winter holiday season the incidence and severity of home fires dramatically increases. In fact, according to the U.S. Fire Administration, each year nearly 47,000 fires occur nationally during the holidays claiming more than 500 lives, causing more than 2,200 injuries, and costing $554 million in property damage. Many of these fires are caused by home heating sources, unattended cooking, and candles. The Red Cross recommends the following to prevent holiday home fires:
- Keep all potential fuel sources (decorations, evergreen trees, wreaths) at least three feet from heat sources (candles, heat vents, fireplaces, portable heaters and radiators).
- Turn holiday lights off and extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to bed.
- After entertaining guests, walk around your home ensuring that candles and smoking materials are properly extinguished.
- Keep anything that can catch on fire—pot holders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging, and towels or curtains—away from your stove top.
- Ensure that smoke alarms are installed outside of each sleeping area and on each level of your home.
- Use the test button on your smoke alarms to test them once a month and replace batteries once a year.
- Create or review your fire escape plan. Identify two escape routes from every room on your home and choose a convenient meeting place a safe distance from your home. Practice your escape plan at least twice a year with all family members.
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