According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), about 840 home fires are caused by holiday decorations. When decorating your home, check electrical decorations for damage before use. Additionally, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), every day 200 people visit emergency rooms due to injuries related to falls, lacerations & back strains while preparing or putting away holiday decorations.

Help ensure a safe and festive holiday season by following these safety guidelines:

Christmas Trees:

• Keep your natural Christmas tree watered at all times: Regularly check your tree for fresh, green needles. Dried-out trees are a fire hazard. A hydrated tree means less chance for your tree to ignite and start a fire.

• Place Christmas trees away from where they can block an exit and at least three feet away from fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, heating vents and other sources of heat.
• Do not overload extension cords: Never plug in too many decorations and make sure your lights, decorations and extension cords are rated for outdoor or indoor use.
• Turn off all electrical decorations before going to bed or heading out.
• Dispose of your tree safely right after the holiday is over: Recycle your Christmas tree at one of 13 Neighborhood Trash and Recycling Centers in Miami-Dade County.

Candles:

• Keep candles away from decorations, curtains, bedding, paper, walls, furniture or other combustible materials. Never use lit candles to decorate Christmas trees.
• Place candles away from spots where they could be knocked over by a person or a pet.

• Supervise children and pets at all times: Never leave children or pets unattended in a room with lit candles.
• Blow out the candles when going to bed or leaving your home.
• Give your home a festive ambiance safely: Consider using battery-operated flameless candles, which can look, smell and feel like real candles.

Ladders:

• Put away decorations safely: Set the ladder on a firm, level surface and avoid soft or muddy ground.

• Do not carry any equipment or decorations up and down the ladder: Wear a tool belt or have someone assist you with handing over any tools and decorations.
• Be safe: Face the ladder and keep your body centered between the side rails when climbing or going down the ladder.

Cooking and Food Allergies:

• Prevent accidents in the kitchen: Keep children and pets away from cooking areas by creating a three-foot zone around your stove. Prevent burns by turning pot handles and any cooking utensils away from the stove’s edge.

• Make the holiday season fun and safe from allergies for everyone: Prior to cooking, be sure to know if any of your guests have any food allergies. If you have food allergies and are attending a party, ask if you can bring your favorite dish or dessert.

• If you have food allergies, make sure to have your medicine available in case of an emergency.

• Be alert to any symptoms of an allergic reaction: Call 9-1-1 if someone has difficulty breathing, rapid pulse and dizziness as those are signs of a severe allergic reaction.

Have a safe Holiday celebration by testing your home’s smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. Have a family escape plan and practice it so everyone in your home will be prepared in the event of an emergency.

Visit our website for additional holiday safety tips.

For more information, please contact MDFR’s Media and Public Relations Bureau at (305) 814-8051.