Holidays and Fire Prevention

 

So by now you know its Fire Prevention month, but it’s also the beginning of our holiday season. I know some of you may be thinking, “What?! It’s the holidays already?!” Yup, the pumpkins have appeared, the costume stores are full, and the malls have their “Happy Holidays” decorations going up. Poor Thanksgiving always gets forgotten, but danger never forgets to take advantage of the holidays! The thing about the holidays, we get busy. We are preoccupied with school/work, holiday parties, kids parties, where we are spending the holidays, who is cooking what…ect. I get it! It’s a crazy time, so why am I even bringing it up so early in the season? Well, because I’m the Preparedness Coordinator, and I’m here to remind you to be ready or get ready! I want to make sure you know how to prevent a home fire in your home or the home of your friends and family.

I’ve told you before about getting a kit, making a plan, and being informed; now I’m going to add be fire safe. Let’s start with checking the batteries in your smoke and carbon monoxide detector; you should have one of each and in working condition. Make sure your emergency kit has the proper items in it and season appropriate (for a full list check out our website). Make sure you have a fire extinguisher, and know how to use it, for smaller fires in the home (if I were cooking we better have one ready).  Conduct a fire drill in the house; make sure everyone in the household knows how to escape in case of a fire. Update your contact cards and your point of contact outside the home.

 The holidays are supposed to be about making memories with those you love. I know it’s a bit early to even be thinking about the holidays, but before you carve your pumpkin (which I hope you won’t be putting a candle in) or deep fry your turkey, remember fires can be preventable. Enjoy this fall and holiday season, and learn your fire safety before you need to use it. The holidays and home fires go hand in hand; fall and winter tend to be high risk for home fires, and we (Red Cross) are here to help you prevent this from happening to you.                        

 

Veronica Lases  AmeriCorps NPRC Member

Preparedness Coordinator
Community Preparedness and Resilience Services