Senior Living: Holiday Fire Safety

Holiday activities and multi-tasking go hand and hand. I tried to do too many things at once and found the end result a little too disturbing for comfort. Leaving food simmering on the stove while showering and getting ready to leave the house for an appointment was one task too many. Yes, I knew better and luckily my husband was home, but what if… Tis the season. Statistic indicate that December is the peak month for home fires. Holiday activities, multi-tasking, and failure to take proper precautions can easily be disastrous. Most home fires revolve around heating, cooking and decorating. Heating: regardless of whether you have a fireplace, furnace, wood stove, or portable space heater, be sure no flammable materials are anywhere near. Chimneys and other heating equipment should be professionally inspected every year. It only takes a tiny malfunction to spell disaster. Cooking: We all cook. Cooking equipment fires are the leading cause of home fires. Always stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling or broiling food. Keep dishtowels and hot mats away from stove stops, and know where your fire extinguisher is. Decorations: Treat your holiday decorations and trees with care. Typically, shorts in electrical lights, open flames from candles, lighters or matches start tree fires. Water your tree and use nonflammable decorations. If you prefer an artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant. Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in insulation, broken or cracked sockets before putting them up. Know if your lights are specifically designed for indoor or outdoor use. Do not leave holiday lights on unattended. Candles are not as innocuous as they seem either. If you really love using candles make sure they are in sturdy metal, glass or ceramic holders. Never leave the house with candles burning and never put lit candles on a tree. I learned my lesson about multi-tasking while cooking. I hope my near miss will make you mindful of home fire safety issues too. An ounce of prevention really does prevent a pound of trouble. Have a safe and happy holiday season.