The holiday season is just around the corner and what many don’t realize is that the holiday times can put our families at a greater risk for fire and safety issues in the home.
The Mesa Fire and Medical Department shared with me the following tips to stay safe around the holidays.
Kitchen Safety
Kitchen fires are the No. 1 cause of home fires according to the National Fire Protection Agency.
A few ways to reduce cooking risks is to stay in the kitchen while you are cooking over the stovetop. This allows you to keep an eye on the food and make sure it’s not overflowing or burning.
When it comes to cooking a turkey or other items, stay in the home to monitor. Save the walk or shopping activities for after the meal, once the cooking appliances have been turned off.
Plan activities for children to keep them away from the kitchen while cooking. Dangling cords, hot plates, knives, and hot food that may splash are all hazards that can be easily avoided.
Holiday Décor
Follow all manufacturer directions. Replace any string lights that are worn or broken. Connect no more than three strands of mini lights together, or a maximum of 50 screw-in bulbs together so you don’t overload a circuit. Use clips, instead of nails, to hang lights – as to not damage cords.
Ensure candles are placed far enough away from curtains, decorations, or where a child could possibly pull down. When placing, keep in mind that they can pop or flare up from the melted wax.
Artificial, flame retardant trees and decorations can provide assurance in not having to worry about them drying out and becoming a fire hazard. For those who love a real tree, keep water in the stand and check daily to ensure freshness.
Holiday Health
Keeping your family safe includes keeping them healthy. Wash hands frequently to stop the spread of germs of colds and flu. Avoid contact with others to stop the spread of germs. Contact your doctor for any medical questions during these coldest times of year.
I hope that you found this information helpful.
As always, if I can be of service to you, or if you wish to speak with me, I can be reached via email at district5@mesaaz.gov, or by phone at (480) 644-3771.