Home fires increase during the holiday months, often sparked by cooking accidents, unattended candles or unsafe decorations. The American Red Cross of Nebraska (redcross.org) urges everyone to take simple steps to stay safe while celebrating.
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 cooking. Avoid wearing loose clothing. Keep kids and pets at least three feet away. Clean cooking surfaces on a regular basis to prevent grease buildup. Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Always check the kitchen before going to bed or leaving home to make sure all 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 United States, and heating equipment remains one of the leading causes of home fires. Provide at least three feet of space around all heating equipment. Never leave space heaters unattended. If you use a space heater, place it on a level, hard and nonflammable surface, such as a ceramic tile floor. If you use candles, keep them away from anything that could burn and place them out of reach of pets and children.
Smoke Alarms Save Lives: Install a smoke alarm near your kitchen, on each level of your home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside bedrooms if you sleep with doors closed. Use the test button to check the batteries and replace batteries once a year. If you cannot afford to purchase smoke alarms, the Red Cross may be able to help.
Contact your local Red Cross at redcross.org/find-your-local-chapter.html.