Be cautious of space heaters.
Space heaters need space! They should be placed a minimum of three feet away from anything flammable and it’s best they are turned off when you leave the room or go to sleep. In addition, never store anything on or near it, and never cover the cord or put Winter Fire Prevention Safety Tipsanything on top of it.
Practice candle safety.
When burning candles for holiday lighting, keep them at least a foot from anything flammable, never leave them unattended and place them out of reach of children. Make it part of your winter home safety routine to check that all flames are extinguished before you go to bed or leave the room.
Play it safe in the kitchen.
Cooking is the leading cause of home fires, so it's important to know what you can do to stay safe while entertaining during the holidays and winter season. It’s best to remain in the kitchen when cooking and it’s helpful to use a timer for reminders.
Decorate with care.
An important winter fire safety tip is to check light strings for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and throw out damaged sets. Also, avoid plugging too many lights into an outlet; overloaded circuits can overheat and cause an electrical fire.
Have a fire extinguisher on hand.
Having fire extinguishers – and knowing how to use them – is an important part of maintaining a safe home for you and your family this winter season. Fire extinguishers should be stored where they are easily reachable and in key rooms where there is a higher risk for fires such as the kitchen and garage. For general fire protection, it’s best to select a multi-rated fire extinguisher.
