When you fire up the oven to roast you turkey, ham, or roast, you’re probably not thinking about something going wrong. But home fires are the most common disaster in the United States, according to the American Red Cross and one is reported every 79 seconds.
Cooking is the leading cause of those fires. Here are some safety tips to keep your holiday fire-free.
- Stay in the kitchen and keep watch while you are cooking.
- Use a timer if you have something in the oven, or are boiling or simmering something on the stove.
- Don’t wear loose sleeves or clothing when cooking.
- Keep anything that can catch on fire such as pot holders, oven mitts, dish towels away from your stove top or oven.
- Turkey fryers are extremely dangerous, and most safety organizations do not recommend their use.
- Make sure you have a smoke alarm installed with working batteries. Push the button to check that it’s working every month and install new batteries at least once a year.
- After your guests leave, make sure you do a home safety check to make sure that all candles and cigarettes are extinguished.
- Never leave Christmas lights on either inside or outside your house if you are away.
- Do not use strings of Christmas lights that have frayed wires or plugs.
- If you use a fireplace make sure the chimney is free of soot build up and that you have a a spark arrester on the top of the chimney. Keep the fire screen closed so that sparks don’t pop out onto the floor or carpet.
Your precautions will insure that you and your family have a safe and happy Christmas holiday.
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