Ensuring a happy time with family and friends requires some preparation -- and some precautionary measures too. Follow these quick tips for staying safe as you're cooking and decorating this holiday season:
#1 No loose clothing in the kitchen.
Avoid wearing loose and hanging clothing when cooking in the kitchen. A sweater, cardigan or shirt sleeve can easily dip onto a burner and start a fire. Also, remember never to move a burning pot as this could escalate an emergency. Stay focused and be aware of your clothing when near an open flame.
Photo courtesy of GO Architectural Design, PLLC in New Bern, NC #2 Be aware of the stovetop.
Anything near the stovetop -- linens, wood, paper towels, etc. -- is a potential fire hazard. Take care to keep anything flammable far away from the stovetop when you're cooking. Also do your best to keep kids and pets out of the kitchen; it's possible that they could knock something over on the stovetop and cause a fire.
#3 Absolutely avoid cooking fires.
Cooking fires are one of the top causes of holiday home fires. This is why you must pay attention to what you're cooking. Also:
- Don't increase the temperature to make food cook faster.
- Always keep the appropriately sized pot lid handy. If a pan fire starts, you can cover it and smother the flames.
- Never, ever put water on a grease fire.
#4 Choose candle placement wisely.
Candles are a great, natural way to light up your home. However, they are also a
. Candles present a particular danger from Christmas to New Year's Day because many people use them on trees, menorahs and dining room tables. To stay safe:
- Always keep an eye on the candle and put it out if you leave the room.
- Don't let a candle burn to below two inches past the holder -- put it out.
- Place candles far away from flammable linens -- curtains, drapes, etc.
- Keep candles out of reach of children and pets.
#5 Decorate your tree carefully.
Tree decorating is a fun family activity. However, bad lights, frayed electrical cords or other fire hazards put your tree and home in danger.
:
- Buy your tree early so you don't end up with a dry tree that's more flammable.
- If you put the tree up closer to Christmas, cut off the bottom and then place it in at least a half-gallon of water.
- If you buy an artificial tree, make sure it's fire retardant.
- Do not put electric lights on metal trees.
- Make sure your tree is at least three feet away from any heat sources.
- Check your electrical cords, plugs and decorative lighting for any potential dangers.
- Position your tree in a sturdy holder so it doesn't fall over.
- Never use candles on your tree.
- Unplug the lights before you leave the house or go to bed. Or put them on an automatic timer.
#6 Clean your chimney.
Fireplaces are great assembly areas for family and friends, but forgetting to open the damper or clean out the ash increases the risk of fire. Make sure you have a chimney cleaning professional clean your chimney once a year. Generally, the cost for chimney cleaning averages
. A professional can sweep out the ashes and clean out any flammable creosote. You should also have a screen or door in front of a fire to prevent hot wood and sparks from escaping. Keep children and pets at least three feet away from an active fire.
#7 Prepare for cold weather.
To keep your home warm and comfortable during the cold season and ensure optimal warmth without fire:
- Have your furnace inspected.
- Keep flammable items at least four feet away from your heating system.
- Do not use an oven to warm the home.
- Keep a working fire extinguisher near the heat sources on every floor of your home.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.