Everyone enjoys being part of the holiday festivities. But when there are a lot of people and activity going on around you, it’s easy to get distracted. The Bismarck Fire Department would like to remind residents of ten simple fire-safety tips that can help you and your family reduce the risk of fires during this joyous time of year.
Here are the “ingredients” for a safe holiday:
• Check you smoke alarms to make sure they are working properly. If it is older than ten years, replace it with a new one. Smoke alarms make great gifts.
• Check your carbon monoxide detector. If it is older than six years get it replaced. Carbon monoxide is considered the silent killer since it is odorless and tasteless.
• Review your emergency exit plan with your family. If you have guest, review it with them so they know what to do in the event of a fire.
• Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking so you can keep a close eye on the food.
• Be alert and focused when cooking. It is easy to be distracted when there is a lot of activity around you.
• Keep things that can catch fire, such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, food wrappers, and towels away from the cooking area.
• Make sure kids stay at least three feet away from the stove and oven, hot foods, and liquids to prevent burns.
• Don’t overload electrical cords or outlets. If you need more outlets, use a power strip that is plugged directly into the wall outlet. This will help protect circuits from being overloaded.
• Don’t leave candles unattended. They should be in a secure base and out of reach of young children. Before you leave the room for the evening make sure the candles have been extinguished.
• If you use alternative heating sources keep a three foot clearance in all directions to prevent anything from starting on fire or getting burned. Plug the appliance directly into an outlet. Turn it off before retiring for the evening.
By following a few simple safety tips, you can enjoy the time with your loved ones and keep yourself and your family safer from fire. Find these and many more fire safety tips and resources on our website at www.bismarcknd.gov/fire or on the National Fire Prevention Association webpage at www.nfpa.org/safety.