Keep your holidays from going up in flames!

  • Published
  • By Jason Garcia
  • 17th Civil Engineer Squadron
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  For most of us, the holiday season represents a time for family festivities and good cheer. What few of us consider is that the holiday season is a time for increased risk of home fires. According to the Goodfellow Fire Emergency Service, many households engage in holiday activities that serve as some of the leading causes of U.S. home fires, including cooking. Christmas trees, candle usage and holiday decorations also significantly contribute to the seasonal causes of home fires.

Fortunately, with a little added awareness and some minor adjustments to holiday cooking and decorating, the season can remain festive and safe for everybody.

With unattended cooking as the leading cause of U.S. home fires and home fire injuries, stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling or broiling food. Most cooking fires involve the stovetop, so keep anything that can catch fire away from it, and turn off the stove when you leave the kitchen, even if it's for a short period of time. If you're simmering, boiling, baking or roasting food, check it regularly and use a timer to remind you that you're cooking. The Fire Prevention Office also suggests creating a "kid-free zone" of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food and drinks are prepared or carried.

Candles are widely used in homes throughout the holidays, and December is the peak month for home candle fires. The nonprofit National Fire Protection Association's statistics repot that two of every five home decoration fires are started by candles. Goodfellow Fire Department encourages residents to consider using flameless candles, which look and smell like real candles. However, if you do use traditional candles, keep them at least 12 feet away from anything that can burn, and remember to blow them out when you leave the room or go to bed. Use candle holders that are sturdy, won't tip over and are placed on uncluttered surfaces. Avoid using candles in the bedroom, where one-third of U.S. candle fires begin, or other areas where people may fall asleep. Lastly, never leave a child alone in a room with a burning candle.
According to NFPA, U.S. fire departments respond to 230 home structure fires caused by Christmas trees each year. One of every three was caused by electrical problems, and one in five resulted from a heat source that's too close to the tree.

Goodfellow Fire Emergency Service offers the following advice for picking, placing and lighting the tree:
· For artificial trees, ensure it's labeled, certified or identified by the manufacturer as fire-retardant.
· For fresh trees, ensure the green needles don't fall off when touched; before placing it in the stand, cut 1-2" from the base of the trunk. Add water to the tree stand, and to water it daily.
· Ensure the tree is not blocking an exit, and is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, space heaters, radiators, candles and heat vents or lights.
· Use lights that have an independent testing label, and ensure they are designed for indoor or outdoor use.
· Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords, or loose bulb connections. Connect no more than three strands of mini-string sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs.
· Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
· Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving the home or going to bed.
· After Christmas, get rid of the tree. Dried-out trees are fire hazards and should not be left in the home or garage, or placed outside the home.
· Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and so they last longer.

Following these fire prevention tips and measures can greatly reduce the risk home fires. "The holidays can quickly turn from joyful to tragic when a fire occurs," said Glenn Haffner, 17th CES Assistant Chief. "By taking simple precautions, people can avoid potential fire hazards, and make this time of year a healthy, safe, happy holiday season."

Please address any questions or concerns to Jason Garcia or Glenn Haffner at 325-654-3539.