Fire Safety Awareness during the Holidays

It’s the most wonderful time of the year to decorate your home for the holidays—candles, lights, trees! But remember to keep fire safety a priority.

Unfortunately, the top three days for home candle fires are Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. Also, while Christmas tree fires are not common, they prove extremely dangerous when they do happen. On average, one in every 52 Christmas tree fires results in death.

Here are some tips to keep your family safe while dressing up your home for the holidays.

• If you choose a live tree, make sure to place it at least three feet away from heat sources including fireplaces, candles, heating vents, radiators and space heaters.
• Keep watering a real tree throughout the season.
• Read the fine print. Review manufacturer’s instructions for how to use holiday lights and how many strand connections are safe.
• Use surge protectors.
• Consider using flameless candles. If you use real candles, keep them at least 12 inches away from anything flammable.

Memorial Medical Center’s Regional Burn Center is one of a limited number of such units in Illinois, serving a wide region across central and southern Illinois. Check out their burn prevention recommendations as you make a fire exit safety plan for your family.