Review the following tips to make the holidays safe for you and your
family.
Holiday Decorations: Be aware of toxic
decorations which may be poisonous. Use non-combustible, flame-resistant
materials. Never use lighted candles on a tree, evergreens or other flammable
materials.
Lights: Check for loose connections, broken
the tree and prevent bulbs from coming in contact with the needles or branches.
Turn off all holiday lights when leaving home or retiring for the
evening.
Trees: Be sure a natural tree is fresh and less
likely to become a fire hazard. Cut two inches off the trunk and place in a
sturdy water stand, water daily. Keep the tree away from fireplaces, wall
furnaces and other heat sources. Use 'fire resistant' artificial
trees.
Portable space heaters: Place space heaters at
least three feet away from anything combustible and operate only when you are in
the room. Never leave a space heater on overnight or near children and
pets.
Cooking: Avoid wearing loose clothing which can be
ignited by hot burners. Turn pot handles in. Don't store items on top of the
stove, they can catch on fire. Turn off kitchen appliances after use. Turkey
fryers should be used outdoors and away from buildings and flammable
materials.
Fire Escape Plan: Know your escape routes.
Have a working fire extinguisher in the kitchen, laundry room, and garage. Never
burn greens, papers, or other decorations in the fireplace. Working smoke alarms
should be installed on every level of your home, test them monthly, replace
batteries every six months.
Know who to call in case of an
emergency: Keep contact numbers handy for the police and fire
departments, doctors and the national poison help line. In case of emergency
property damage, contact a licensed, professional fire damage clean up and
restoration company.
Source: www.pdrfortworth.com.
