A safe holiday is a happy holiday, so as you start preparing your holiday schedule and organizing your family feast, remember, by following a few simple safety tips, you can keep yourself and your family safer from fire (source: National Fire Protection Association):
Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop, so you can keep an eye on the food.
Never leave the home while the turkey or other dishes are cooking, and check on it frequently. Set a timer to remind you.
Keep children away from the stove and cooktop, as both will be hot and have hot pots and pans nearby. Set a three-foot kid-free safety zone around all cooking appliances.
Keep knives out of the reach of children.
Don't leave electrical cords from mixers, electric knives, etc. dangling where a child or pet can reach them.
Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children - in a high, locked cabinet.
Never leave children alone in a room with a lit candle. In fact, consider using battery operated candles for your holiday decorations.
Keep the floor clear so you don't trip.
Test your smoke alarms.
Use holiday lights that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory (this will be on the tag and packaging). Make sure you use lights for the right purpose, some are only for indoor or outdoor use.
Inspect all light strings for worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read the manufacturer instructions for the number of light strands that can be safely connected.
Never decorate your Christmas tree with lit candles.
Always turn off the Christmas lights before leaving your home or going to bed.
Helms Heating & Air Conditioning would like to add:
If you use the space where your furnace is located as a storage area, make sure all items are kept at least 36" from your furnace. Also, keep that area clear of debris.
Do not store combustible and/or flammable items near your furnace.
Schedule routine maintenance to make sure your heating system is running safely and efficiently.
Replace the batteries in your carbon monoxide detectors and test them for proper operation.
If you notice an unusual smell or sound coming from your heating system, call Helms Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule service.
In the South, we like to deep-fry our turkeys! Please follow all instructions that came with your fryer, use your fryer on a level surface outside a safe distance from buildings, never leave it unattended, and monitor the oil temperature to avoid overheating.
Helms Heating & Air wishes you a safe, comfortable, and Happy Thanksgiving!
Photo by Ashim D’Silva on Unsplash
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