Space heaters, candles and fireplaces—the winter holiday season is primetime for residential fires.
Find out how to reduce your risk of devastating and deadly fires.

Burn candles carefully.

• Before you light candles, place them in non-tip candle holders.
• Don't burn candles near combustible displays, decorations or curtains.
• Never place candles in windows or near exits.
• Don't let candles burn unattended or within reach of children.
• Extinguish all candles before leaving a room or going to bed.

Maintain fireplaces.

• Have your chimney inspected by a professional at least once a year and have it cleaned if necessary.
• Always use a fire screen and burn only material appropriate for fireplaces.
• Never burn trash or paper in a fireplace—burning paper can float up your chimney and onto your roof or into your yard.
• Remove ashes in a metal container and dispose of them safely outside your home.

Use decorative lights correctly.

• Be sure all indoor and outdoor decorative lights bear the label of an independent testing laboratory.
• Throw away any set of lights with cracked or frayed cords or loose or damaged sockets.
• Do not overload electrical outlets or run extension cords under carpets, across doorways, or near heaters.
• Unplug all decorative lights before leaving your home or going to bed.

Teach children about fire safety.

• Use only holiday lights with a child-resistant feature.
• Store all matches and lighters out of children's reach—up high and preferably in a locked cabinet.
• Teach young children to stay away from candles, fireplaces and space heaters.
• Show older children how light and burn candles safely.

Choose fire-safe toys.

• When buying presents, don't purchase toys made of flammable materials.
• Make sure that electric toys bear the label of an independent testing laboratory.

Care for Christmas trees daily.

• Choose a fresh-cut Christmas tree. If you're not cutting it yourself, buy a tree that's not shedding its needles.
• Cut the trunk at an angle and install the tree in a deep, non-tip stand.
• Don't place the tree near exits, fireplaces or other heat sources.
• Check the water level in your tree daily. If the tree becomes dry, remove it from your home. Store it outside, well away from your house until you can dispose of it. If you use an artificial tree, be sure it's flame-retardant.

Plan fire-safe parties.

• Use only flame-retardant or noncombustible materials for party decorations or costumes.
• Use chafing dishes (containers with stands used with Bunsen burners) with caution.
• Provide smokers with large, non-tip ashtrays.

Make space for space heaters.

• Keep space heaters at least three feet away from furniture, bedding, walls, clothing or other combustible materials.
• Only use space heaters bearing the label of an independent testing laboratory.
• Always use the correct fuel for liquid-fueled heaters and make sure they are vented properly.

Be prepared.

• Install a smoke alarm just outside each bedroom and on each level of your home.
• Check each smoke alarm monthly. Replace any dead batteries right away—all batteries should be changed at least once a year.
• Purchase at least one fire extinguisher for your home and learn how to use it.

Source: American Red Cross Twin Cities Area Chapter

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