PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- 'Tis the season to be wary of fires in your home involving candles and various other holiday decorations.
As winter is peak time for these types of incidents, the Red Cross offered some tips to safely enjoy your holiday this season without burning down the house:
- Keep candles away from anything that could burn and never leave them unattended. Additionally, place them out of reach of pets and children.
- Make sure all holiday light cords aren’t frayed or broken. Additionally, no more than three strands of lights are recommended per extension cord.
- If you have outdoor decorations, first make sure they're meant for outdoor use. If your decorations use hooks or nails, insulate them to avoid electrocution or fire.
- If buying an artificial tree, look for a fire-resistant label. Also, although most artificial trees come with their own built-in lights, you should never use your own electric lights on metallic trees.
- If getting a live tree, keep it fresh and watered. You can test if the tree is fresh by bending the needles up and down to make sure none fall off.
- Do not light the fireplace if hanging stockings or other decorations on the mantel.
- Install smoke alarms on every level of the home and outside every sleeping area. Testing them once a month is recommended, as well as replacing the batteries at least once a year.
- Have an escape plan, should a fire break out in your home.
"If a fire breaks out in your home, you have, on average, two minutes to get out of your home. Two minutes - and that is quick," emphasized Rebecca Marshall. Red Cross Cascades Regional Communications Director. "Have a plan. What would you do if a fire broke out in your home? How would you get out? And where would you meet if you had to get out of the house, so you would not to go back in and look for someone who might not be there? These are really important things to think about, especially this time of year when we're all at home."
For more information, visit redcross.org/homefires
