‘Tis the season to be jolly…and fire hazard-free. This guide of holiday fire safety tips will provide extra peace of mind in your home and community during this festive time of year.
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14 Holiday Fire Safety Tips for Homeowners, Shareholders, and Residents
- Brush Up on Emergency Resources
Ahead of the holiday season, review and store any relevant emergency contact information in your phone and near a central area of your home such as the fridge: - Add Management to Your Contacts
If you are a current resident at one of our managed properties, be sure to add our contact information to your phone or contact list:- For Emergencies Call: 1.800.684.4055
- For Non-Emergencies Call: 631.293.2997 / 718.233.1390 / Contact Us Online
- Follow Proper Procedure in the Event of a Fire
In the event of a fire, always follow proper fire safety procedures which would include but would not be limited to the following:- Evacuate your building/home (close all doors behind you to slow the spread of fire and smoke).
- Call 911
- Contact Management
- Contact Your Superintendent (if applicable)
- Cooperate with all local authorities and management
- Make sure that management has your emergency contact information
- Do not re-enter the building(s) or your home until it has been announced that is safe to do so
- Test Your Carbon Monoxide Detector and Fire Alarm
Take time to test these before the holiday rush, and replace batteries if you forgot to do so during daylight savings. - Don’t Leave Any Heat or Flame Sources Unattended
Examples of open flame and heat sources include but are not limited to:- Fireplaces
- Candles (opt for LED options instead)
- Heated Blankets
- Food Sternos
- Ovens (Never use your oven as a source of heat!)
- Stove Tops
- Set Off the Right Alarms When Cooking and Baking
If you have ever hosted a holiday gathering or prepared multiple dishes for one, then you know that holiday cooking and baking can get hectic fast. Stay organized by using multiple alarms on your smartphone or smart devices for food that is in the oven.
Don’t forget that casserole in the oven! Take fire safety a step further by setting one final reminder to turn off all kitchen appliances once all holiday baking and cooking is finished. These steps will help prevent a hazard caused by burning food or an oven or stove that was not turned off. - Deck The Halls with Safer Lighting
Use extension cords, power strips, and surge protectors properly. Follow the instructions found on the boxes of holiday lighting and power cables for proper usage. For example, do not use appliances, chords, and electronics outdoors when they are marked for indoor use only.
Additionally, do not overload extension cords, outlets, power strips, etc. with too many appliances or string lights. Reviewing the difference between power strips and surge protectors will also go a long way in preventing potential fire hazards. - Update Frayed or Broken Lighting
Take the time to replace any holiday lights with frayed wires and/or broken bulbs. You may want to consider upgrading incandescent lighting for modern versions that are LED. LED lighting produces less heat and is an eco-friendlier option than traditional lighting. Check for the “UL” seal that indicates the lights have been tested for quality and safety. - Replace or Repair Appliances with Faulty or Old Wiring
Like tip #8, check all appliances, extension cords, power strips, and surge protectors for any wires that may be a fire hazard, and have them replaced, or repaired (if applicable). - Time Your Holiday Lights
Put your holiday lights on a timer or, just be sure to unplug décor and turn off surge protectors every now and then. This will help prevent overheating and help to lower electric costs. - Keep Pets Away from Flames, Candles, and Other Heat Sources
A swat of the tail or paw can knock over candles and start a blaze. So, keep pets away from hazards that could potentially cause damage to them or your home. Keep pets off countertops, tables, etc., especially when there are open flames and heat sources present. - Light the Menorah Without any “Oy Vey” Moments
Chanukah candles are typically made to melt down fast. However, we suggest leaving your menorah in the sink or near a source of water for quick extinguishing. Place a sheet of tin foil underneath the menorah to avoid any falling candles or melting wax on surfaces. Also, always keep the menorah within eyesight. Another option: celebrate the festival of lights with an electrically lit menorah instead. - Keep Hidden Gifts Away From Fire Hazards
If you hide gifts in a closet or anywhere where there may be a heat source such as a radiator, or lightbulb, consider a new hiding spot for holiday presents (the kids are on to you anyway!). Just be sure that your hiding spots do not encourage holiday-related theft in your home and community association. - Real Christmas Trees = Frequent Watering
Real trees require frequent watering because they can be set ablaze very quickly if they are dried out. If it is tradition to put up your Christmas tree on Black Friday, consider a fake tree, or an alternative to traditional Christmas trees altogether.
While fake trees are a good alternative to real trees because they do not require watering, they can still become a fire hazard from overheated or improperly wired lighting. Thus, it is important to follow the safety measures mentioned above such as checking for faulty wiring, following box instructions, using a timer, etc.
Prevent Holiday Fire Hazards
We know that the holiday season is a busy time of year. However, it is critical that every homeowner, shareholder, and resident takes time to prevent holiday-related fire hazards. Check this list (twice!) to keep your home and community association free of fire hazards and full of holiday fun!
