Here Are Some Holiday Fire Prevention and Home Fire Safety Tips

Tim Solobay said you should always be deligent, but you have to especially step up your efforts to fire-proof your home around the holidays.

Because the sad fact is: About 3,500 Americans die each year in fires and about 20,000 are injured.

So Solobay reminded residents to be cognizant of some common-sense tips while they are enjoying the holiday—like remembering to inspect their lights and decorations to make sure they are in good working order.

"What can initially work can sometimes malfunction later," he said, explaining that moisture damage and fraying are sometimes the cost of storing those kinds of items for a year in places such as an attic or basement.

And even though that lit-up Christmas tree may look awfully pretty in your window to passersby, Solobay said to resist the temptation to leave decorations like that on when you leave the house.

One more thing, he added: Remember to water those Christmas trees, huh?

Nobody wants one of those to go up in flames from being too dry.

Also (and as always): "Make sure your smoke detector is in good working order," Solobay added.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has some more tips on how to stop a fire before it starts and what to do if you have a fire:

• Have a working smoke alarm that can sound fast for both a fire that has flames, and a smoky fire that has fumes without flames. It is called a “dual sensor smoke alarm.” A smoke alarm greatly reduces your chances of dying in a fire.
• Prepare an escape plan and practice it often. Make sure everyone in your family knows at least two escape routes from their bedrooms.
• Do not place your holiday tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree and it could catch fire by heat, flame, or sparks more easily.
• Never put holiday tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood-burning stove.
• When the tree becomes dry, remove it from your home right away. The best way to get rid of your tree is to take it to a recycling center or have it collected by a community pick-up service.
• Check holiday lights each year for wires that are worn out or coming apart, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and a lot of bends or twists in the wire.
• Only use laboratory-tested lighting and extension cords.
• Never overload outlets or extension cords. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet.
• Do not leave lit holiday lights on unless someone is in the room.
• Avoid using lit candles. If you do use them, make sure they are in stable holders and put them where they cannot be easily knocked over and start a fire.
• Never leave the home with candles burning