Don’t Get Fired Up This Holiday Season
Kaydence NolThe crackle of the fireplace, the glow of candles, and the smell of home-cooked food signal the holidays – and fire risks, warns Fire Marshal Jesse Benne.
Fires During the Holidays
During Thanksgiving and Christmas, the fire department sees an increase in indoor fires, and there are two reasons why, says Benne:
- People are spending more time at home, indoors.
- Being home during the holidays, we bring an increased amount of heat into our homes, for example, fireplaces and portable heaters.
Thanksgiving
Benne says the biggest cause of fires during the holidays is cooking.
According to the United States Fire Administration, Thanksgiving Day is the No.1 day for cooking fires.
Unattended cooking is the No.1 cause of fires in America.
In previous years, an average of 16,000 home fires have occurred on Thanksgiving due to cooking, said Benne.
Benne said these factors were the leading causes of cooking fires on Thanksgiving, according to the National Fire Protection Association
Christmas
Coming in hot, Christmas Day is the second largest day of cooking fires.
“Watch what you heat”, said Benne
Outside of cooking, decorations are the next leading cause of fires during the holidays, said Benne.
Candles
Although a candlelight room during Christmas might be a vibe, we must be careful, said Benne.
Any type of open flame, such as a candle, increases the risk of a fire starting.
Benne said we can avoid the risk of an open flame and, better yet, a fire, by using electronic candles, flameless candles, or candle warmers.
Christmas Trees
“Trees are basically a huge candle”, said Benne.
Real Christmas trees are combustible and can cause a whole house to go up in flames more easily.
Benne recommends getting a synthetic tree to lower the risk of a fire in the home.
If you are using a real tree, it’s necessary to water it every day to keep it from drying out and prevent a fire, said Barnes.
Chimneys and Fireplaces
When using a fireplace, it is important that it is cleaned regularly based on how much it’s used, said Benne.
Both can develop a buildup of flammable materials if not cleaned properly.
The more you use a fireplace, the more you need to clean it, said Benne.
“Some people can get them serviced once a year, some people need it done once a month, depending on how many fires their burning.”
Other Precautions and Safety Tips
- Check your smoke detectors
Checking them once a month is enough to ensure they work, said Benne.
The detectors themselves have a lifespan of 10 years, although this can vary. The expiration date is located on the back of the sensor, ensuring the detector won’t work past that date.
- Portable generators
They can increase the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, said Benne.
Ensure they are installed properly; if misinstalled, it can lead to poisoning and electrocute linemen.
- Buy the correct batteries
“Make sure they’re the same brand”, said Benne.
It’s important to buy the same battery and model that is in the device; buying off-brand batteries or cheaper batteries can increase the risk of fire.
Community Outreach and Fire Education
The Edmond Fire Department, specifically fire prevention, is at all the city events to educate and answer any questions about fires and precautions.
Benne said the department needs to be a part of and involved in the community and spread the message about fire safety to the public.
The department hosts the Winter Night event at the Children’s Safety Village, December 6 and 13.
Winter Night is free to the public and features Christmas activities for children alongside fire safety messages and materials throughout the village, said Benne.
“Everything we do is geared towards safety”.