Fire Prevention

Fall
  • Halloween
    • With all the extra decorations, costumes, and chaos Halloween can bring comes added fire risks that can be easily avoided.
    • From 2014-2018, roughly 770 home fires began with decorations per year (NFPA Halloween).
    • Safety Tips:
      • Keep decorations far away from open flames.
      • Dried flowers, stalks, and cornstarch catch fire very easily.
      • Use battery-operated candle sticks or glow sticks and jack-o-lanterns.
      • Stay away from costumes with long trailing fabric.
      • Make sure your children stay away from open flames, including those in jack-o-lanterns.
  • Thanksgiving
    • Thanksgiving is the peak day for fires from home cooking with more than 3 times the daily average.
    • In 2019, US fire departments estimated roughly 1,900 home fires on Thanksgiving. (NFPA Thanksgiving)
    • Safety Tips:
      • Stay in the kitchen when you are cooking on the stove top so you can watch the food.
      • Stay in the home when cooking turkey and check it occasionally.
      • Keep children away from the stove, hot foods and liquids, and knives.
      • Make sure all electric cords from appliances are out of reach of children.
      • Keep matches and lighters away from children.
      • Never leave kids alone in a room with a lit candle.
      • Keep your floors clean so you do not trip.
      • Make sure all smoke alarms are working