Winter Fire Safety: How To Be Warm, Cook, Keep Christmas Tree

Before arctic temperatures move in, it's a good time for Maryland residents to have their fireplaces and furnaces maintained, and take other steps to have a safe winter. State Fire Marshal Brian S. Geraci suggest checking for fire safety where you live, work, attend classes, or attend meetings.

“Fire and life safety is everyone’s responsibility; by testing smoke alarms and CO detectors, keeping exits clear of obstructions, and maintaining fire alarms and fire sprinkler systems, we can all avoid injury or death from the effects of fire,” Geraci said in a news release.

The state fire marshal's office has safety tips for heating sources, Christmas trees, and the kitchen.

Have the chimney cleaned and inspected yearly before use.
Never leave candles burning unattended. Extinguish the flame before leaving the room. Consider battery-operated candles instead of flaming candles for safety.

Kitchen Safety

• Prevent fires from starting on the stove by staying in the kitchen and monitoring the food as it is prepared. If a fire would occur in a pot or pan on the stove, place a lid on it and turn off the burner. Allow it to cool before removing it from the stove.
• If using a turkey fryer, follow all safety precautions and manufacturer’s instructions. Never put a frozen turkey in a fryer; make sure it has completely thawed.

Christmas Trees

• If you have a live, cut tree for Christmas, special precautions need to be taken: Select a tree with green needles that do not remove too easily from the branches and the trunk should be sticky to the touch.
• Place the tree away from heat sources and add water every day during the recommended two-week lifespan the tree is up. Make sure the location of the tree does not block any exits in the house.
• Never use lit candles to decorate a tree. Place candles well away from tree branches. Use battery operated candles instead.
• Dried out trees can ignite more readily. Remove the tree shortly after the holiday and place outdoors for disposal.
• Inspect tree lights for frayed or damaged wiring and check for cracked sockets. Replace strands with new sets as they become worn. Follow manufacturer’s guidelines when attaching additional strands.

• Always unplug or switch off all holiday lights before leaving home or going to bed. Make sure you close the door to all occupied bedrooms before you fall asleep.
• Take down holiday lighting after the holidays. Holiday lights are temporary decorations that should be limited to 30 days of use.
• If a fire occurs inside your home, close the doors behind you as you vacate to the outside, call 911 and never go back inside the home. Tell arriving first responders if anyone is still inside.

SEE ALSO: How To Care For Live Christmas Tree, Prevent Deadly House Fire

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Photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch