Christmas Fire Safety Tips

Christmas Fire Safety Tips

Christmas is just around the corner. There will be lights, candles, trees, and cooking all throughout the month. How do you know if your condo in Chicago is safe from fire danger? It doesn’t take much to spark a tragic fire during this cold, holiday season. There are a few fire safety tips in Chicago that can help you to prevent a fire from happening this season. Keep these in mind when it comes to your holiday gatherings this month.

• Do not leave while cooking – No matter how safe you may feel your oven or stove is, it is imperative that you do not leave the room or apartment while it is going one. Always check the appliance before retiring at night to ensure that you haven’t left anything on. It is important that someone is always monitoring the stove and oven area when cooking is taking place.
• Monitor candles – Candles are a beautiful addition to any holiday celebration. However, if left unattended, they can wreak havoc and destroy your home. Make sure that you always check on your candles and never leave them unattended. Do not leave the home with a candle still lit. Be sure that all your candles are far away from anything flammable such as curtains, paper products, or in the kitchen. Be sure that your children do not play around the candles either.
• Be mindful of your Christmas tree – If you choose to use a real tree, be sure to keep it watered throughout the season. A dry tree can cause many issues when it comes to fires. Be sure to check all your lights for broken bulbs, blown bulbs, and any wiring that doesn’t look safe. If you are in doubt, throw it out! Do not take the chance of starting a fire if there’s any question on the stability of the light string.
• Monitor space heaters – With the holidays comes the colder weather. That means you may have space heaters going in certain areas of your condo. Be sure that you are always monitoring them and keeping them away from anything flammable that could cause issues. Be sure to unplug them when sleeping and to never leave them running without someone in the room.
• Practice fire safety escape plan – There’s never been a better time than to practice your fire safety escape plan. With all the extra hustle and bustle of the season, take time to remind your family what your plan is. Remind them where they are to go if there’s a fire, where to meet, how to get out of the home, and to stay out when they are outside. This seemingly simple plan can mean the difference between life and death in the event of a fire.

These are just a few of the fire safety tips you can put in place this holiday season. Enjoy your time with family and friends and rest assured that your family’s fire safety in Chicago is taken care of.