Safety tips can prevent holiday home fires

Home fires increase significantly during the holiday months, often sparked by cooking accidents, unattended candles or unsafe decorations.

The American Red Cross urges everyone to take simple steps to stay safe while celebrating, from keeping a close eye on the stove to checking holiday decorations for hazards. Thanksgiving is the leading day for home cooking fires in the U.S.

Cooking safety tips

• Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. If you must leave the kitchen for even a short time, turn off the stove.
• Use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on. 
• Avoid wearing loose clothing or dangling sleeves while cooking.
• Keep kids and pets at least 3 feet away from cooking areas. 
• Keep anything that can catch on fire – potholders, oven mitts, wooden utensils, paper or plastic bags, food packaging and towels or curtains – away from the stove top and oven or any other appliance that generates heat.
• Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup.
• Consider purchasing a fire extinguisher for the kitchen.
• Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving home.

Candle and heating safety

December is the peak month for candle fires, with an average of about 20 home fires a day in the U.S., and heating equipment is a leading cause.

• Consider using battery-operated candles as holiday décor to help keep your family safe.
• If you must use traditional candles, keep them away from anything that could burn and place them out of reach from pets and children. Never leave them unattended.
• Provide at least 3 feet of space for all heating equipment. Most home-heating fire tragedies occur when flammable items like furniture, rugs and drapes are too close.
• Never leave space heaters unattended; they are involved in most fatal fires.
• If you use a space heater, place it on a level, hard and non-flammable surface, such as a ceramic tile floor. Don’t place it on rugs and carpets or near bedding and drapes. And turn it off every time you leave the room or go to sleep.
• Test smoke alarms monthly and practice home fire escape plans until everyone can escape in two minutes or less.

For more fire safety information – including how to create and practice a home escape plan – visit redcross.org/fire or download the free Red Cross emergency app.