A message from the Beaver Volunteer Fire Department
Winter holidays are a time for families and friends to get together, but that also means a greater risk for fire. Following a few simple tips will ensure a happy and fire-safe holiday season.
Holiday Decorating
- Be careful with holiday decorations. Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
- Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.
- Replace any string lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read the manufacturer’s instructions for the number of light strands to connect.
- Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.
- Keep decorations away from windows and doors.
Holiday Entertaining
- Test your smoke alarms and tell guests about your fire escape plan.
- Keep children and pets away from lit candles.
- Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet.
- Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop.
Before heading out or to bed, blow out lit candles when you leave the room or go to bed. Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving home or going to bed.
More than one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles.
More than two of very five decoration fires happen because decorations are placed too close to a heat source.
