The holiday season brings with it some fire safety hazards. However, all of them are easily avoided with maintenance and awareness. To read these tips in their entirety, visit the Houston Fire Department and US Fire Administration's holiday safety pages.

Cooking

  • Always have a working smoke detector
  • Never leave cooking food unattended
  • Turn pot handles away from the front of the stove and never position them over another burnerfety
  • Make sure pot holders are not too close to the stove
  • Wear short sleeves or tight-fitting long sleeves
  • Shield yourself from scalding steam when lifting lids from hot pots
  • Keep broilers, ovens, stove tops and exhaust ducts free from grease
  • If there is a fire in the oven-Turn off the oven and keep the oven door closed
  • Use an ABC fire extinguisher, baking soda or a tight-fitting pot lid, never flour or water, to extinguish a kitchen fire


Lights 

  • Maintain Your Holiday Lights
    • Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.
     
  • Do Not Overload Electrical Outlets
    • Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires – they should not be warm to the touch.
     
  • Do not leave holiday lights on unattended!


Trees

  • Buy them as fresh as possible - not brown, no needles falling, etc.
  • Keep the tree hydrated with water, wet sand or products designed to keep trees fresh.
  • Make sure the tree is far enough away (at least 3 feet) from any sort of heat (fireplace, candles, etc.).
  • Don't try to burn the tree yourself.  
  • Dispose of the tree as soon as the season is over.


Candles 

  • Avoid Using Lit Candles
    • Consider using battery-operated, flameless candles, which can look, smell and feel like real candles.
  • If You Do Use Lit Candles...
    • Make sure candles are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn.
  • Never leave a room or go to bed with candles burning.  
  • Never Put Lit Candles on a Tree
    • Do not go near a Christmas tree with an open flame – candles, lighters or matches.  
     
Heaters

Electric:
  • Do not use extension cords on electrical heaters.  
  • Make sure wires are in good condition.  
  • When purchasing a heater, check to see if it has a safety switch (when it falls over, it will cut off).
Gas:
  • Make sure they have copper flexible threaded connectors rather than rubber hose (American Gas Association Seal).  
  • Use soapy water to check for leaks. Never use a match.  
  • You will want a blue flame to make sure it is not putting off too much carbon monoxide. A blue flame produces less hazardous carbon monoxide.  
  • Make sure you have enough ventilation for the recommended size room and heater.  
  • Keep heater away from anything combustible (at least 3 feet) and secure,so as not to tip over.