Red Cross urges holiday cooking and decorating safety to prevent home fires

FOX23 News at 9 p.m.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., (KBSI) — Home fires rise significantly during the holiday season, often caused by cooking accidents, unattended candles or unsafe decorations. The American Red Cross of Southeast Missouri Northeast Arkansas is urging families to take simple steps to stay safe — from keeping a close watch on what’s cooking to inspecting holiday lights and decorations. Taking precautions now can help prevent tragedies and ensure a safer, happier holiday celebration.

“One in five people the Red Cross assists after home fires are helped during the holiday months,” said Micheal Sullivan, executive director of the Red Cross of Southeast Missouri Northeast Arkansas. “Home fires can strike quickly, leaving as little as two minutes to escape. Protect your loved ones by practicing your home fire escape plan until everyone can get out in under two minutes.”

Follow these tips and visit redcross.org/fire for more information, including a fire escape plan to practice with your family:

• Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food. If you must leave, even briefly, turn off the stove.
• Use a timer to remind yourself that the stove or oven is on.
• Avoid wearing loose clothing or long sleeves while cooking.
• Keep kids and pets at least three feet away from cooking areas.
• Keep flammable items — potholders, oven mitts, utensils, packaging, towels and curtains — away from heat sources.
• Clean cooking surfaces regularly to prevent grease buildup.
• Consider purchasing a fire extinguisher for your kitchen.
• Before going to bed or leaving home, check that all stoves, ovens and small appliances are turned off.

December is the peak month for candle fires, which cause an average of 20 home fires a day in the U.S. Heating equipment also remains a leading cause of home fires.

• Provide at least three feet of space around all heating equipment to prevent flammable items from catching fire.
• Never leave space heaters unattended, as they are involved in many fatal home heating fires.
• Place space heaters on a level, hard, nonflammable surface such as ceramic tile — never on rugs, carpets or near bedding and drapes. Turn them off when leaving the room or going to sleep.
• If using candles, keep them away from anything that can burn and out of reach of children and pets. Never leave them unattended.
• Test smoke alarms monthly and practice your home fire escape plan until everyone can escape in two minutes or less.
• Install smoke alarms near your kitchen, on each level of your home, near sleeping areas, and inside and outside bedrooms if you sleep with the door closed. Test monthly and replace all batteries at least once a year.
• If you cannot afford smoke alarms or cannot install them, contact your local Red Cross for assistance.

Since October 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign — in partnership with community organizations — has saved at least 2,489 lives by educating families, helping them create escape plans and installing free smoke alarms in high-risk communities. Learn more or get involved at Take Action To Prevent Home Fires | Red Cross.