Make sure there is a working smoke alarm in every level of your home and every bedroom to ensure family and overnight guests are safe
Make sure overnight guests are aware of your fire escape plan
Remove fire hazards from children who may be visiting, such as moving matches and lighters out of reach, or covering outlets
Have a fire extinguisher near you while cooking (no more than 10 feet from the stove) and know how to use it
Start your holiday cooking with a clean stove and oven
Keep young children out of the kitchen to avoid burns, spilling hot liquids, or injury from hot steam
Do not wear loose clothing or jewelry while cooking which could catch on fire, or cause burns and spills
Cook on the back burners when possible
Turn pot handles away so they don't hang over the edge of the stove
Never leave cooking unattended
It is NOT recommended to use a a turkey fryer to cook your turkey, but if you do choose to use one, please take a look at these helpful tips to stay safe
Keep decorations away from direct sources of heat
If using candles make sure they are always within sight, and place them out of reach of children or where someone won't accidentally knock them over
Never use string lights that have worn, frayed, or broken cords/bulbs
When decorating your tree, make sure you are using tree-safe lights (some lights are designed only for indoor or outdoor use, not both)
Never use electric lights on a metal tree
Unplug lights/decorations before leaving your home or going to sleep
DO NOT use lit candles to decorate your tree
Ensure all holiday decorations are nonflammable/flame-retardant, and do not place them near sources of heat
Do not put wrapping paper in the fireplace, it can create sparks and chemical build-up in the fireplace
Make sure small children or pets do not play with the wiring/lights on the tree
Look for "Fire Resistant" artificial Christmas trees
If choosing a live tree:
Make sure the tree is fresh:
Look for one with green needles
Gently grasp a branch between your thumb and forefinger and pull it toward you; very few needles should come off in your hand
The tree trunk should be sticky to the touch
If you bounce the tree on the ground and a lot of the needles fall off, do not choose this tree as it has probably dried out
Do not put up a live tree too early or leave it up for longer than 2 weeks
Make sure the tree stand is filled with water at all times
If you are not setting up the tree right away, store it in water outside
Make a fresh cut off the bottom of the trunk one half inch from the bottom just before putting it in the stand
DO NOT add anything to the tree's water. Research has shown plain tap water is by far the best. Some commercial additives and home concoctions can actually be detrimental to a tree's moisture retention and increase needle loss
The tree stand you use should hold at least one quart of water for every inch diameter of the trunk after the tree is in the stand
Do not place your tree near heat sources (heat registers, space heaters, fire places, wood stoves, televisions, computer monitors, etc.) where it may catch fire, or dry out the tree potentially starting a fire
Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood stove
When the tree becomes dry, dispose of it it promptly by taking it to a recycling center or have it picked up by a community pick-up service
Do not store dried-out trees in the house, garage, or against the outside of the house
Use a sturdy tree stand so your tree does not accidentally tip over
When choosing a costume stay away from long trailing fabric or bulky costumes that could catch on fire
Choose a costume that is flame retardant
Keep all decorations, especially items like crepe paper or cornstalks, away from open flames, light bulbs, and heaters
Keep exits clear of decorations in order not to block possible escape routes
Use caution when using a candle for jack-o-lanterns, or opt for a battery-operated candle
When lighting jack-o-lanterns use a utility lighter or a longer style of matches
If using lit candles in jack-o-lanterns, be sure to watch children around them, and place them far enough away from anything that could potentially burn in case they tip over
