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Fire safety as important as family time, festivities during holidays
Posted 11/15/2012 Updated 11/15/2012
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by Donald Warner
The Air Force Fire Chief
11/15/2012 - TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- We like to think of the upcoming holiday season as a joyous time with family and friends. Sadly, that isn't always the case. Each year hundreds of families are devastated by fire. Here are some pointers so it doesn't happen to you.
Two scenarios are our primary concern during the holiday season - cooking and Christmas tree fires.
COOKING
Cooking occurs more during this season than normal; increasing the potential for a fire on the stovetop. Know this: Cooking fires will cause major damage to your home. Although they could be small, they can damage cabinets and cause smoke damage throughout the house. If they're not extinguished quickly, the entire house may be destroyed. So don't take these fires lightly.
- Stay in the kitchen when cooking.
- Keep a metal cover or lid handy when cooking anything in oil or grease and avoid cooking on the high setting. If the pan catches fire, slide the cover or lid from the side over the burning pan. Once the fire is out, remove it from the heat. This is the best way to extinguish these fires. An alternative is to use an ABC or BC dry chemical extinguisher. A good bath with baking soda also works but you'll be exposed to the fire because you'll have to get close. Don't ever use water on a grease or oil fire!
- Don't try to move a burning pan. Put the fire out in the pan where it sits.
- If you fry a turkey, make sure you follow instructions and keep the fryer away from the house at least 25 feet. Vinyl siding melts easily and if it catches fire it will run up the side of the building quickly resulting in major damage.
CHRISTMAS TREES
The U.S. Fire Administration estimates 240 home fires involving Christmas trees and another 150 home fires involving holiday lights and other decorative lighting occur each year. Together, these fires result in 21 deaths and $25.2 million in direct property damage.
- Natural trees should be avoided. If you insist on having one, make sure it's freshly cut and keep it wet -- standing in water. If a dry tree catches fire, you can't put it out and you may lose your home! Do a quick internet search for "Christmas tree fires" to see the results of these types of fires. Remember, property damage isn't the only concern; the lives of your family members are at stake too.
- If you use a natural tree, make sure it's not in the path to an exit. Try to have a door between the tree and the exit door.
- Never use open flames such as candles near the tree, whether natural or artificial.
- Use only UL or FM listed artificial trees. If you don't know whether your old tree is safe, cut a small sample and hold it over a flame. It may catch fire but it should self-extinguish when the flame is removed. If it doesn't, get a new tree.
- Make sure all electric decorations are UL or FM listed and are in good repair.
- Turn off of unplug all decorations before retiring for the evening or leaving the tree unattended.
- Remind your family of the fire escape plan, to stay low and crawl if smoke is present and where to go after an evacuation.
- Test your smoke detectors.
- If you're a renter, including military family housing, it's always a good idea to maintain renter's insurance just in case.
Finally, if you have a fire, get your family out of the house and don't spend too much time trying to put the fire out yourself. Call 911 for fire department assistance.
Stay safe and happy holidays! |
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