Most candle fires happen in properties throughout December
Vermont Business Magazine This vacation season, the American Red Cross Northern New England Region encourages everybody to observe easy steps to forestall dwelling fires from vacation decorations. Most dwelling fires involving candles occur in December, when one in 5 dwelling ornament fires additionally happen.
“As more of us light candles to celebrate the holidays, we want to ensure everyone stays safe from home fires — the nation’s most frequent disaster,” mentioned John Montes, Regional Disaster Program Officer for the Red Cross Northern New England Region. “Help protect your family by using battery-operated candles, testing your smoke alarms monthly and practicing your two-minute escape plan with everyone in your household.”
HOLIDAY DECORATING SAFETY TIPS Follow these security tips and go to redcross.org/fire for extra info, together with an escape plan to observe with your loved ones. You may obtain the free Red Cross Emergency app by looking out “American Red Cross” in app shops.
- If you have to use candles, preserve them away from something that might burn, and place them out of attain from pets and youngsters. Never depart burning candles unattended.
- Check all vacation mild cords to make sure they aren’t frayed or damaged. Don’t string too many strands of lights collectively — not more than three per extension twine.
- Ensure outdoors decorations are for out of doors use and fasten lights securely to your property or bushes. If utilizing hooks or nails outdoors, ensure that they’re insulated to keep away from an electrocution or hearth hazard.
- If shopping for a synthetic tree, search for the fire-resistant label. When placing it up, preserve it away from fireplaces, radiators and different sources of warmth. Never use electrical lights on metallic bushes.
- If getting a stay tree, ensure that it’s contemporary and preserve it watered. To check if the tree is contemporary, bend the needles up and down to ensure no needles fall off.
- Don’t mild the fireside if hanging stockings or different decorations on the mantel.
IF YOU NEED HELP If you can not afford to buy smoke alarms or are bodily unable to put in one, the Red Cross might be able to assist. Visit redcross.org/EndHomeFiresNNE or name 1-800-464-6692 (Option 4) to schedule your free set up appointment.
HOME FIRE CAMPAIGN SAVES LIVES Since October 2014, the Red Cross Home Fire Campaign with neighborhood companions has saved at the least 1,414 lives by educating households about hearth security, serving to them create escape plans and putting in extra than 2.4 million free smoke alarms in high-risk neighborhoods throughout the nation. Visit redcross.org/homefires for extra info.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and offers consolation to victims of disasters; provides about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches abilities that save lives; distributes worldwide humanitarian help; and helps veterans, army members and their households. The Red Cross is a nonprofit group that is dependent upon volunteers and the generosity of the American public to ship its mission. For extra info, please go to redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or go to us on Twitter at @RedCross.
BURLINGTON, DEC. 6, 2022 — American Red Cross Northern New England Region
