The American Red Cross calls for people to stay safe from home fires during this holiday season. According to the organization, it responds to 20% more of these fires around this time.
The Red Cross released a list of safety tips for people who will cook, decorate and use heat for the holidays. The organization suggests people avoid wearing loose clothing while preparing food and never leave space heaters unattended.
Georgi Donchetz is a spokeswoman with the Red Cross. She says the Red Cross also offers free installations of smoke alarms.
“So we work with different universities to install smoke alarms in homes. A huge partner here locally is the Arizona Burn Foundation where they are installing smoke alarms along with the Red Cross just about every weekend,” she said.
Donchetz says people will still turn on their heaters when it gets cold.
“People are starting to warm their homes using heaters, and then we're also seeing more candles being lit this time of year. So we're encouraging everyone to follow these rules and be safe,” she said.
Cooking safety tips
Follow these safety tips and visit redcross.org/fire for more information, including a fire escape plan to practice with your family.
- Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you must leave the kitchen for even a short period of 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 three 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 your 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 to keep in your kitchen.
- Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving home to make sure all stoves, ovens and small appliances are turned off.
Holiday decorating and heating safety
December is the peak month for candle fires — which cause about 20 home fires a day on average in the U.S. — and heating equipment remains one of the leading causes of home fires.
- Provide at least three feet of space for all heating equipment. This is critical because most home heating fire tragedies occur when flammable items like furniture, rugs and drapes are too close.
- In addition, never leave space heaters unattended — as they’re involved in most fatal home heating fires.
- If you must use a space heater, place it on a level, hard and nonflammable 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.
- If you must use candles, keep them away from anything that could burn, and place them out of reach from pets and children. Never leave burning candles unattended.
- You can also help keep your family safe by testing your smoke alarms monthly and practicing your home fire escape plan until everyone can escape in two minutes or less.
- Visit redcross.org/fire for more information, including an escape plan to practice with your family. You can also download our free Emergency app (search “American Red Cross” in app stores).
