‘Tis the season to be jolly. There are packages to wrap, parties to plan, decorations to put up, and a few safety tips to remember. While it’s easy to get swept up in the holiday hoopla, taking precautions now can help avoid a potential holiday fire later.

“There are so many ways a fire can start during this busy time of year, and the last thing anyone wants is to have their holiday ruined by a disaster,” said Chris Lawrence, Director of Insurance at AAA Western and Central New York. “Now is a good time for people to make sure they have working smoke detectors in place.”

Tips for Preventing a Holiday Fire

Tree Safety:

• Keep your tree at least three feet from any heat source, including fireplaces, radiators, and heat vents, which could dry it out and make it more susceptible to fire.
• Check your tree stand each day to see if it is filled with enough water.

Candle Safety:

• Place your Menorah candelabra on a fireplace mantle or in a windowsill away from flammable decorations.
• Remove any tablecloth from the table where you set your Kwanzaa kinara (candleholder) to prevent a fire if the candles are knocked over.

Cooking Safety:

• Unattended cooking is a leading contributing factor in cooking fires and fire deaths. Stay in the kitchen when using the stovetop, so you can keep an eye on the food. Plan gift giving separately!
• Cooking causes half (53 percent) of all reported home fires and more than two of every five (38 percent) home fire injuries, and it is the second leading cause of home fire deaths (18 percent).
• Everyone loves hanging out in the kitchen – which can lead to bumps, spills and other injuries, especially when kids are involved. To minimize accidents, put activities, snacks, games and toys in another room.

Electric Lights Safety:

• Only purchase holiday lights and electrical decorations approved by the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) or another recognized testing laboratory. And never use lights outside that are only designated for indoor use.
• Always turn off Christmas tree lights when you aren’t around to monitor them – including the end of the evening.
• Before stringing holiday lights, either on the tree or as outdoor decorations, carefully examine each strand to make sure there are no frayed wires, broken or cracked sockets, or insulation gaps.
• Do not connect more than three strands of lights together. Doing so can overload electrical outlets.

Holiday Cleanup:

• Never burn wrapping paper in a fireplace or wood stove. It is very flammable and some types may produce a chemical buildup that could create an explosion.
• Never burn a Christmas tree or its branches or needles in a fireplace or wood stove. The tree’s sap is extremely combustible and could throw sparks.
• Discard your tree when its needles start to drop off.

Play it safe this season and make sure your home is protected. For more insurance information, visit www.AAA.com/Insurance.