JACKSON, Wyo. — While the holiday season is a time for gathering together, sharing meals and decorating homes, TCEM highlights that these activities can present fire risks and other safety concerns.
On Monday, Nov. 25, Teton County Emergency Management (TCEM) release easy-to-follow tips to stay safe during the holiday season.
“It is far easier and cheaper to mitigate hazards before something happens than it is to recover after a catastrophe like a house fire,” TCEM writes.
Read below for the easiest ways to mitigate for risk and enjoy this time of year:
Keep the Christmas tree well hydrated and at least three feet away from heat sources
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a dry tree can catch fire and burn faster than newspaper. TCEM provides this demonstration from the National Institute of Standards and Technology.
Have furnaces, wood stoves, fireplaces and chimneys inspected
TCEM says fireplaces and chimneys should be inspected by a professional chimney sweep every year. Homeowners should give fire plenty of time to cool, and always treat fireplace ashes as if they could still be hot before properly disposing of them.
Cook safely
NFPA’s Applied Research reports that, nationwide, Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve. Those cooking should always stay in the kitchen while cooking on the stovetop. In case of a cooking fire, learn what to do by visiting the NFPA’s Cooking page.
Light it up, with care
Inspect holiday lights and cords for damage and throw away any that are frayed, kinked or worn. Turn off lights and decorations before leaving the house or going to bed. Use a ground fault circuit interrupter where water and electricity could potentially mix.
Dig out gas lines and vents
Heavy snow and roof slides can block or damage gas lines and vents, creating a serious safety concern. Make sure that gas meters are easily accessible.
Use space heaters with caution
Space heaters should be used as temporary heating only, and should be plugged in to a 20-amp circuit. They should never be used with an extension cord.
