Submitted by the Westport Fire Department

Winter holidays are a time for families and friends to get together.  But that also means a greater risk for fire.  Following a few simple tips will ensure a happy and fire-safe holiday season.

Holiday Decorating

• • Be careful with holiday decorations.  Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
• • Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.
• • Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, not both.
• • Replace any string of lights that are worn, have broken cords or loose bulb connections.  Read manufacturer’s instructions for the maximum number of light strands that can be interconnected. 
• • Use clips, not nails to hang lights so the cord do not get damaged.
• • Keep decorations away from windows and doors.

Holiday Entertaining

• • Test your smoke alarms and tell guests about your home fire escape plan.
• • Keep children and pets away from lit candles.
• • Keep matches and lighters up high and stored in a locked cabinet.
• • Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop.
• • Ask smokers to smoke outside. Remind smokers to keep their smoking materials with them so young children do not touch them.
• • Provide large, deep ashtrays for smokers. Wet cigarette butts with water before discarding. 

Before heading to bed

• • Blow out lit candles when you leave the room or go to bed.
• • Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving home or going to bed.

Facts: 

• Two of every five home decoration fires are started by candles.
• Nearly half of holiday decoration fires happen because decorations are placed too close to a heat source.