News Release: December 17, 2003
Contact: Janice Osborne, Director-Communications and Marketing
(610) 865-4400, ext. 262
As we celebrate the holidays, the American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley urges families to take steps to make their holidays “fire safe” this year.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, four out of seven home fires occur during December, January and February, and about half of these fires are caused by using candles and overloading electrical circuits. As families turn to alternative heating sources out of necessity or to avoid the rising cost of oil and gas, there is an increased risk of accidental fires in the home.
“There are easy, commonsense things that people can do to reduce the risk of a fire. Prevention and preparedness are key words to remember whether you’re decorating or heating your home,” said Nina Johnson, disaster services manager at the local Red Cross.
The American Red Cross recommends the following safety tips for a joyous holiday season:
Christmas Trees: Choose a fresh tree and water it daily. Keep Christmas trees away from heat sources and exits. Make sure artificial trees are fire-retardant.
Candles: Make sure they are in a stable holder and place them where they cannot be easily knocked over. Keep candles away from Christmas trees, decorations or other flammable materials. Don't leave children unattended in a room with lit candles and keep candles, matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
Lights: Inspect your lights before you use them and use lighting that is listed by an approved testing laboratory. Don't overload electrical outlets and always unplug all lights when leaving the house or going to bed. Don’t link more than three light strands unless the directions indicate it is safe. Periodically check the wires; they should not be warm to the touch.
Decorations: Decorate only with flame-retardant or non-flammable materials and make sure they are kept away from heat vents.
Cook with Care: When cooking, do not wear loose-fitting clothing. Hot burners can ignite it. Always turn pot handles in. Don’t store items on the stovetop. Never leave cooking food unattended. Keep kitchen appliances clean and in good condition and always turn them off after use. Don’t overload electrical outlets and don’t use appliances with frayed or cracked wires.
Inspect fireplaces and wood stoves: Have your chimney connections and flues inspected by a professional and cleaned if necessary prior to the start of the heating season. Use a sturdy fireplace screen big enough to cover the entire opening of the fireplace to catch flying sparks Burn only wood -- never burn paper, including discarded gift wrap, or pine boughs. If you plan to hang stockings on your fireplace, do not use the fireplace for fires.
Prepare for holiday parties: Decorate only with flame-retardant or noncombustible materials. If guests will be smoking, provide them with large, deep ashtrays and check them frequently. After the party, check inside and under upholstery and in trash cans for cigarette butts that may be smoldering.
The American Red Cross is a humanitarian organization, led by volunteers, that provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies.
The American Red Cross of the Greater Lehigh Valley serves more than 660,000 residents in Carbon, Lehigh and Northampton counties. Last year the Red Cross provided health and safety education training and emergency relief services to more than 20,000 Greater Lehigh Valley residents. For more information about Red Cross or volunteer opportunities, call (610) 865-4400 or visit www.redcrosslv.org.
