Thanksgiving and Winter Fire Safety Tips for Your Home
Thanksgiving and Winter Fire Safety Tips for Your Home
Staying Safe This Season
Thanksgiving and winter bring both warmth and an increased risk of fire hazards, especially in residential properties. Keep your home safe and secure this holiday season with these essential tips.
Thanksgiving Fire Safety Tips
Mindful Cooking: Thanksgiving is a peak time for cooking fires, often due to unattended stovetops. Always stay in the kitchen when cooking, particularly when using high heat, and set timers to remind yourself.
Skip Indoor Turkey Fryers: Turkey fryers can be hazardous when used indoors or near buildings. If outdoor space is limited, opt for safer cooking methods.
Test Smoke Alarms: Use this season as a reminder to test smoke alarms and ensure fire extinguishers are operational and accessible.
Child and Pet Safety: Create a “no-go” zone in the kitchen to keep children and pets away from hot surfaces and sharp utensils.
Avoid Overloading Outlets: Extra appliances during holiday gatherings can overload outlets. Use power strips with surge protection and avoid overloading circuits, especially with heat-producing devices.
Winter Fire Safety Tips
Lithium-Ion Battery Safety: Store battery-powered devices like e-bikes and e-scooters indoors during winter. Use quality chargers, avoid overnight charging, and keep them away from heat sources. Watch Battery Fires - Battery Fires - Before You Store for Winter ™ on NFPA Journal®’s YouTube channel for more information on lithium-ion battery safety.
For safe winter storage of e-bikes & scooters:
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Remove the Battery: Store it separately, as it’s the main fire risk.
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Choose a Temperature-Controlled Zone: Store the battery in a cool, dry, and temperature-stable area, ideally away from your home, such as a detached garage or shed.
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Partial Charge: Keep the battery at around 50% charge before storage.
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Use the Right Charger: Only use the charger provided by the manufacturer.
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Check for Damage: Inspect the battery for swelling or other issues before storage.
Avoid:
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Leaving the battery on the bike/scooter in cold, humid spaces.
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Storing in excessively hot or freezing areas.
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Using or storing damaged batteries.
Follow your e-bike manufacturer’s guidelines for the safest practices. Please Check out nfpa.org/lithiumionsafety for more lithium-ion battery safety tips.
Space Heater Precautions: Use space heaters responsibly. Plug them directly into wall outlets (not extension cords), keep flammable items at least three feet away, and choose heaters with safety features like automatic shutoffs.
Furnace Maintenance: Schedule a professional furnace tune-up to ensure your system is operating safely. Check for issues like faulty heat exchangers, replace filters regularly, and inspect electrical connections. Our friends at Ravinia Heating & Plumbing offer a furnace tune-up Ravinia Heating & Plumbing.
Be Proactive for a Safer Season
By implementing these fire safety tips, you can enjoy a safe and festive holiday season while reducing fire risks. For additional resources, visit FEMA or the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
Happy Thanksgiving! Stay fire-smart and protect your home this season.
Figure 1https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/publications/electrical-fire-safety-infographic.pdf
