Before you start decking the halls for the holidays, consider this: around 47,000 fires occur during this festive season, resulting in over 500 deaths each year. Yet, here is the good news: preventing fires and burns is simple if you follow some practical safety guidelines.
“Most burn injuries are preventable,” says Courtney Lawrence, RN, community outreach coordinator at University of Utah Health’s Burn Center. “It's so important to be aware of potential dangers around your home and take simple steps now to mitigate them. This will ensure that you and your family have an injury-free holiday season.”
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1. Add Safety Equipment to Your Shopping List
While preparing for your trip to the mall, don't forget to add fire safety essentials to your list. Here are some must-have staples:
- A first aid kit with plenty of gauze and bandages
- Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in all floors of the house
- At least two functional fire extinguishers—one in the kitchen, the other in the bedroom
- Firefighter rescue alert stickers for you front and back doors
- Replacement batteries (typically 9V or AAs)
Note: If your smoke alarm is over a decade old, it's time to buy a replacement. And be sure to change the batteries at least once per year.
2. Keep Your Little Ones Safe
The holidays are filled with wonder and curiosity for small children, which can unfortunately lead to potential burns and fire hazards in the home, especially the kitchen. Here are some tips to ensure your little ones—including pets—stay safe during this busy time of year.
- Keep hot items (drinks, candles, food, etc.) out of reach
- Create a “circle of safety” (at least three feet) around the stove and oven
- Keep sharp utensils and appliance cords pushed to the back of the countertops
- Make dangerous items (candles, deep fryers, fireworks, etc.) off limits
3. Be Cautious with Candles
Flickering candles add a cozy touch to the holiday season, but they can also be fire hazards. During the winter holidays, candle fires are four times more likely to occur in the home. To keep your home safe, remember these essential tips before lighting a candle:
- Place candles on flat, stable surfaces
- Keep the candle away from flammable items, especially your tree
- Ditch the lighter and use flameless, battery-operated candles
- Blow out the flames before leaving the room
- Make candles off-limits and out of reach for children and pets
4. Don’t Let Hot Grease Ruin Your Feast
During this festive season, many adventurous cooks eagerly anticipate the time-honored tradition of deep-frying turkeys, turducken, and other culinary delights. However, it's important to remember that using a deep fryer can be extremely dangerous.
"Deep fryers can bring delicious meals to the table, but they also bring real risks if not used with care,” says Annette Matherly, RN, community outreach and burn disaster coordinator at University of Utah Health’s Burn Center. “During the holiday season—and all year long—remember to stay alert, keep a safe distance from open flames, and never leave a fryer unattended. A little extra caution can keep the holiday spirit bright and prevent potential accidents."
You can avoid highly painful oil burns by following these guidelines:
- Constantly monitor the oil temperature to avoid overheating
- Don’t overfill with oil, and make sure the turkey is fully thawed
- Use the fryer outdoors on a flat surface and away from others
- Use a fire extinguisher—not water—to extinguish a grease fire
- Protect yourself with safety goggles and thick oven mitts
- In case of a burn, follow the four C’s (cool, clean, cover, and call)
5. Avoid Electrical Fires
There's nothing more joyous than the sight of twinkling lights adorning tree branches and illuminating windows and rooftops. While dazzling, these light displays can quickly become electrical fire hazards without proper precautions. Before you unpack your box of lights, remember these safety tips:
- Inspect cords to make sure they're not frayed, cracked, or damaged
- Purchase lights that are safety tested and have the UL label
- Use exterior lights with outdoor-approved labels
- Don't overload outlets and extension cords
- Turn your lights out overnight to avoid overheating (a timer can help)
- Water your tree daily and toss it when the branches are dried out
6. Plan Your Escape
Whether you're living in a cozy apartment or a five-bedroom home, you should always have an escape plan at the ready. So, grab your notepad and start drafting your plan with these basic steps:
- Draw a map of your house and highlight at least two ways to escape each room
- Test out all your doors and windows to make sure they can easily open
- Designate a meeting location outside of the house and away from danger
- Practice a fire drill, including the stop-drop-and-roll technique
- Warn your children not to hide inside the home during a fire
Remember, only you can prevent house fires. By following these safety tips, you can relax and focus on what truly matters: creating cherished memories with friends and loved ones during the most wonderful time of the year.