Holiday Fire Safety Tips 2018- Protect your Family

• Holiday's are filled with fun, excitement and family time but to make sure that everyone stays safe, we have put together 10 Holiday Fire Safety tips for you to protect yourself and loved one's this holiday season.
  

1.  If you have a real live christmas tree or imitation, make sure to turn off lights prior leaving for an extended period.  If you enjoy showing off the tree in the window, take the time and purchase a quality timer device that let's you set times when the lights or on or off.  This way, if you have an traffic issue or emergency and can't get home right away, your lights will automatically shut off at the time you set the timer.
2. Fire hazards are multiplied when too many plug-ins are added to power strips.  This can heat up or cause a short circuit in your appliances or the power strip it self.  Only use, the amount and type of devices the strip suggested use is for.
3. Everyone love's the Holiday dinner and family fun associated with it.  As we know people get busy and sometimes forget that something was in the oven or that a burner may still be hot while there are lots of items on the counters nearby.  Make sure that at all times, paper, plastics oils etc, are moved away from the cooking area so that no accidental spills or mishaps occur.
4. Fire Places are awesome, especially on the Holiday's but always make sure that safety precautions are followed. Making sure to never leave the fire unattended, and making sure that no wood or paper can be accessed outside of the fire place insert by popping embers.  
5. Alcohol and Holidays:  A lot of people love to have a drink or two on the Holidays but make sure that beverages left unattended next to fire places, or kitchen counters can create spill hazards.  This spill of a shot of Vodka for example and a open flame will ignite immediately.  Although it won' burn very long, it still can create unintended situations especially if the area was unattended.
6. House Lights:  Extensive lighting can have direct impact on your homes wiring and electrical box.  Make sure to follow all manufactures guidelines as well as look into LED style lighting that uses very low voltage to operate.
7. Smoke and Carbon Dioxide detectors can literally save lives but only if there working.  Before the festivities jump off, check all detectors by pushing the test button located on each device to make sure that it is operable.
8. Fire Extinguishers:  Make sure to have a dry chemical extinguisher in the home preferably in the kitchen area or near (within 15 feet) of your wood burning fire place.  This way any fire hazard situation can be kept at a minimal level.
9. Candles:  Lit candles are the best but also the most dangerous.  If you like the candle look but want the built fire safety features, consider the battery powered candles that are available at most retail stores that carry household items.  These work great and some even have timers so that they go off automatically.
10. Fire Plan:  The old saying, ''A bad plan is better than no plan'' is true.  No plan offers nothing but uncertainty, a basic plan offers a level of control.  Come up with a basic fire exit plan for your family, this way everyone is on the same page and can assist each other instead of everyone running in all directions without any direction.

                                                          All in all, we wish you a very safe and wonderful Holiday and New Year!

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