Firefighters see an increase in house fires during the holiday season. One local firefighter has advice to keep you and your family safe over the holiday.
November, December and January are the months most common for house fires according to the National Fire Protection Association. Further more, the NFPA says that Christmas day is the second worst day for cooking-related fires.
Scott Jacobs, Community Risk Reduction Coordinator for the city of Vandalia, warns anyone cooking to never leave food unattended.
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“You don’t have to necessarily stand next to the stove,” Jacobs said. “Just stay in the kitchen so you don’t forget what’s on there.”
Candle fires are at their highest rates at Christmas. Additionally, more than 20,000 fires are caused by a chimney or fireplace each year. Jacobs warns homeowners to make sure any combustible materials away from any heating source.
A staple of the holiday season is the Christmas tree. On average, the NFPA records 160 Christmas tree fires each year. While they are a centerpiece of many households over the holiday season, live Christmas trees can be hazardous if not watered properly.
“As Christmas trees are not watered, they dry out,” said Jacobs. “Any amount of a faulty connection, rather it be a spark from the lights or overheating.”
Jacobs stresses that it is important to make sure you have a working fire extinguisher in your home. Make sure it is easily accessible and that you have read over the directions so you know how to use in case of an emergency.
“Safety is the most important thing this holiday season, along with everything else we’re dealing with,” Jacobs said. “So we don’t want any preventable tragedy to happen. If we can prevent that, we’re happy.”