The holiday season is filled with celebrations, gift-giving, and many festive decorations. Unfortunately, the most festive time of the year also can be the most dangerous for house fire risk. Christmas trees lit with bulbs are prime fire hazards, and candles, cozy fires, and electrical wiring for all those decorations also increase the fire risk.
Black Jack Fire Protection Districts wants residents to stay safe this holiday season; we want the holidays to be merry, not scary! Know the risks of holiday injuries and house fires, and use our Christmas fire safety tips to celebrate safely.
Christmas Tree Safety
The Christmas tree is the centerpiece decoration in homes that celebrate Christmas. Families decorate real or fake trees with lights, garland or tinsel, ornaments, and a star or angel at the top.
Both real and fake trees pose a fire risk, but real evergreen trees are the most dangerous for igniting a house fire. Real trees must be watered regularly to ensure the tree stays green during the season. If the tree isn't properly hydrated, the needles and limbs begin to dry out. Dry needles combined with hot lights create a perfect fire condition.
The National Fire Protection Association reports that 20 percent of Christmas tree fires started from electrical sources. Most households place their tree in the living room, so most Christmas tree fires originate in this space.
Whether the family chooses a real or synthetic tree, keep these Christmas tree safety tips in mind this season:
Do not daisy chain power strips for tree lights. Daisy chaining refers to plugging a power strip into another power strip.
Water real trees daily. Always check the water level to ensure trees stay hydrated.
Unplug tree lights before leaving the home or going to bed
Position trees about six feet away from any heat source (fireplace, personal heater, candles, etc.)
Never use outdoor holiday lights on a Christmas tree. These lights burn hotter and are not designed to be placed on a tree.
Safe Holiday Light Displays
Some homeowners love to create holiday light displays on their houses and front lawns. Be cautious about the lights illuminating the home and trees; any exterior lights must be safe outdoors.
Holiday Decorating Safety Tips
Stringing lights on the house also poses personal safety issues. When decorating rooftops, follow these safety guidelines to mitigate falls and injuries:
Always have someone hold a ladder at the base; this improves balance and safety.
Be mindful of the weather. Don't decorate the home's exterior when wet, icy, or snowy. Slippery conditions increase the risk of falls and accidents.
Plug outdoor lights into ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) boxes.
Keep decorations, yourself, and any other tools 10 feet from powerlines.
Choose flameless candles (battery operated) to decrease the fire risk.
Holiday Home Safety Tips
While Thanksgiving tops the year for the most cooking fires, Christmas is the second most dangerous day for these types of fires. When cooking a festive holiday breakfast, brunch, or dinner, be mindful of all the activities in the kitchen. Distractions can be deadly.
Turn down the heat. Watch pots and pans on the stove. Be prepared to turn down the burner heat when the dishes are boiling.
Always turn the handles of pots inward. This makes it more difficult for children to grab pots and pans from the stove. Hot contents can lead to serious burns and injuries.
Use a cookie sheet or grease pan beneath dishes in the oven. These sheets catch spills and grease, ensuring contents do not spill on heating elements and ignite.
Always keep a Class ABC extinguisher in the kitchen and know how to use it (remember PASS–pull, aim, squeeze, sweep).
Never cook under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Do not leave pots and pans unattended on a hot stove.
Holiday Pet Safety
Pets can be especially vulnerable to injury and even accidental poisonings during the holiday season. Certain foods and plants are toxic to furry friends. Do not feed pets grapes, onions, garlic, grapes/raisins, xylitol (an artificial sweetener), chocolate, macadamia nuts, mushrooms, chives, or avocado. In addition, other foods may also be harmful; be sure to talk with your vet to understand the foods your pet must avoid.
Holiday plants and flowers also can harm animals. Holly, mistletoe, and poinsettia are all toxic to dogs and cats. Choose fake versions of these holiday favorites and keep pets safe.
Holiday Food Safety
For many families, the holidays mean cooking big meals and baking lots of sweets (like holiday cookies). Remember that baked goods and leftovers have an expiration date. Toss out refrigerated leftovers after around three days (maximum).
When baking cookies, do not eat raw cookie dough. Yes, it tastes delightful but can lead to a serious case of salmonella from uncooked eggs.
Holiday Safety for Families with Toddlers
Families with toddlers face unique safety dangers during the holidays. Be mindful of young children while decorating the tree, cooking in the kitchen, and lighting candles. Keep these crucial safety tips in mind:
Teach children to never play with candles. Choose flameless candles to minimize the risk of burns and injury.
Encourage young children to focus on the tree's lower branches when decorating.
Use safety plugs for all power strips to mitigate the risk of shock.
Watch out for decorations with small parts or pieces (these can be a choking hazard).
Keep dishes of hard candies like peppermint discs away from toddlers.
Children should stay at least six feet away from a lit fireplace.
Holiday Shopping Safety Tips
The malls are decked with holiday cheer and bustling with activity. Crowds can feel overwhelming while shopping during the holiday season. Holiday shopping also can pose a safety risk. When shopping at malls or stores, remember to:
Park in well-lit areas.
Keep cell phones charged at all times.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Keep a hand on handbags.
Don't use public wi-fi to make purchases.
Look out for delivery scams. USPS will not send a cell phone text about an issue with customs or prompt you to enter personal information. If you're concerned about a delivery, contact the shipping company directly (be sure to have a tracking number).
Have a Merry Safe Holiday Season
Black Jack Fire Protection District wishes all residents a safe and happy holiday season. Be smart about safety when decorating the tree and home, cooking a holiday dinner, and celebrating with furry friends. Remember to always be aware of your surroundings when shopping for gifts, and don't fall for scams and spam messages related to deliveries. If you receive a questionable message via text or email, reach out to a shipping company or retailer directly. Never share or enter personal information.
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