A local fire service is reminding residents not to let their guard down when it comes to fire prevention over the holidays.
The LaSalle Fire Service says with the busyness and the stress of the Christmas season, it can be easy to become lax when it comes to fire safety. Fire Chief Don Sutton said it doesn't take much for something out of place to change a celebration into a problem.
"Never leave a cooking pot unattended on the stove," said Sutton. "And consider using battery-operated or electric flameless candles."
Smoking can also cause problems, said Sutton.
"Make sure smokers extinguish cigarettes in large deep ashtrays, not in plant pots which may contain peat moss or shredded bark that can easily ignite," the chief said. "Ashes should be emptied in a metal container, not the garbage can, and put outside."
Some other tips include:
- Remaining in the kitchen when something is cooking on the stove.
- Setting lit candles away from anything that can burn, and out of the reach of children and pets where they can't be knocked over.
- Snuffing out candles before leaving the room or going to bed. Consider using battery-operated or electric flameless candles.
- Using alcohol responsibly. Attempting to cook or smoke while under the influence of alcohol or cannabis is too often a contributing factor in fatal fires.
- The base of real Christmas trees should be immersed in water at all times to prevent them from drying out. Trees with dry branches spread flames quickly.
- Checking all sets of Christmas lights before putting them up and discarding any sets that are damaged or frayed.
- Developing and practice a home fire escape plan so that everyone in your home knows what to do if the smoke or CO alarms sound.
