Fire safety for your holidays

  • Published
  • By Goodfellow Fire Emergency Services
  • 17th Civil Engineer Squadron
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The holiday season is a wonderful time for family get-togethers and celebrations. What few of us may consider is that the holiday season is also a time when there is an increase of preventable residential fires.

"As everyone gets busier during the holidays, we often become rushed, distracted or tired," said Glenn Haffner, 17th Civil Engineer Squadron Assistant Chief for Fire Prevention. "That's when fire safety is often neglected and the risk of a fire incident is more likely to occur."

Fortunately, with a little added awareness and some minor adjustments to holiday cooking and decorating, the season can remain festive and safe for everybody. "By taking some preventative steps and following simple rules of thumb, most residential fires can be prevented," said Jason Garcia, 17th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Inspector public education specialist.

The Goodfellow Fire Emergency Services is here to remind you of a few things to keep in mind during the holiday season:

· Test your smoke alarms/carbon monoxide detector and let guests know what your fire escape plan is
· Live Christmas trees are only allowed in base housing. They are not allowed in other base facilities
· Use caution and choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant
· Place Christmas trees at least three feet from fireplaces, furnaces or any other heat source
· Water live Christmas trees on a regular basis (trees should have fresh green needles) and dispose of them safely   within four weeks of placing them
· Use lights that are Underwriters Laboratories Inc. listed. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both
· Replace any string lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections
· Connect no more than three strands of mini light sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs
· Use clips, not nails to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged
· Do not overload extension cords
· Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things items can burn
· Blow out lit candles when leaving the room or going to bed
· Turn off all string lights before leaving home or going to bed
· Keep children and pets away from lit candles
· Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. Stay in the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop
· Wherever you smoke, provide plenty of large, deep ashtrays and check them frequently

For more information contact the Fire Prevention office at (325)654-5577 or (325)654-3539.

As a reminder, in the event of any Emergency dial 911 immediately for assistance.
The Goodfellow Fire Emergency Services Wishes you a happy, healthy and FIRE SAFE holiday season!