Seasons' Grievings

The same thing happens every year, the holidays are rapidly approaching and your mind is on holiday parties, family reunion dinners, and putting up those decorations. The farthest item from your thoughts is fire safety. What you may not realize is that the December, January, and February months are the leading months for home fires and home fire deaths. According to the National Fire Protection Association, more than one-third of U.S. home fire deaths occur during the winter months.

A reminder to you that the greater majority of these fires are preventable. Simply being aware of fire hazards is a first step, taking the actions necessary to avoid them is the most crucial step. Don't be one of the thousands of Americans who will die in fires this year; follow these easy steps to keep your home and your family safe from the threat of fire and its consequences.

Check your smoke detectors. Replace the batteries on a annual basis or when you hear a slight "chirping" signal coming from the detector. To help remember when you replaced the battery, pick a day and replace it on that day every year. When you move the clocks forward or backward, a child's' birthday, or even a holiday such as New Years'.

Have your home heating systems inspected by a professional on a annual basis and make any necessary repairs quickly. Use a sturdy screen in front of the fireplace. Never use a flammable liquid in a fireplace. Of course if you hang your Christmas stocking on the mantle, do not have a fire. Never allow small children to play or light the fire in the fireplace. If you use space or portable heaters, keep anything that can burn (including people and pets) at least three feet away. Always turn the heater off and let it cool down before refueling the tank. Most home heating fires are caused by human error, following the manufacture directions for the proper operation of a portable heating device.

Cooking is the leading cause of home fires, about 101,000 every year. During the holidays, the cooking performed at your house will greatly increase as your family prepares for the traditional turkey dinners with friends and relatives. Turn the pot handles in, away from the front of the stove. Do not allow small children to play in the kitchen during the time you are cooking. Don't place a small pan on a large burner or large pans on small burners. Keep a potholder nearby to grasp those hot pan handles, do not use a towel. Don't cook wearing long sleeves that can dangle near the burners. Unplug the appliances when not in use and certainly before going to bed. Items like the coffee pot, and toaster can continue to heat after their contents are gone. Keep a lid handy for each pan and use it to smother any flames. Don't use water to extinguish a grease fire, it could just make a bad situation worse. Do not overload your electrical outlets with extension cords or additional cooking appliances.

Check your holiday decorations and replace any with worn or damaged wiring. Disconnect the lights at bedtime or when they will be unattended. Once again, do not overload your outlets using extension cords or a multi-plug adapter. Avoid the use of candles, certainly do not allow your children to play with the candle, matches or lighters. Melting wax can cause a serious burns. Never use a candle as a Christmas tree decoration. Place a small flashlight in your Jack-O-Lantern instead of a candle.

Christmas trees are always a fire hazard in your house. Choose a freshly cut tree, and cut a few inches off the trunk before placing it in the stand. Check the water level daily. Once the tree dries out, get it outside. Of course, keep the tree away from any heat source or sparks. Keep in mind that many of the decorations may look lovely, but can be hazard also. Holly berries can make a child very sick if they eat them, same goes for the mistletoe.

Practice your home fire drill now. Remind your family to know two ways out of every room. Arrange a meeting place somewhere outside and have your family memorize the emergency fire reporting number. Normally it's 10177. The number in your area may be different. Post the number near each phone.

Every 16 seconds a fire department responds to a fire somewhere in the world. Please enjoy your holidays and be fire safe throughout the entire year. Happy Holidays!!