Fire Safety for Kids: What to Know Before the Holidays

Why Fire Safety is Important During the Holiday Season 

Winter holidays are a time for joy, warmth, and families. But with all the twinkling lights and festive feasts, it’s also a peak time for home fires. That’s why it’s so important to keep fire safety in mind during the holiday season – especially when it concerns youngsters.

Children’s curiosity draws them to candles, fireplaces, and tasty treats cooking in the kitchen. So, it’s crucial to teach them a few simple safety tips. By sharing these safety lessons before the holiday season begins, families can help prevent accidents and ensure they have safe and memorable celebrations.

We’ll Cover:

Which Holiday Has the Most Fires?
Smoke Alarms and Safety Basics
Holiday Fire Safety for Kids
Fire Safety Tips by Holiday
Emergency Preparedness and Response

Which Holiday Has the Most Fires

Each holiday comes with its own fire safety concerns and fire safety measures, especially when children are involved. Here are the top holidays for home fire incidents and potential fire risks to keep in mind:

• Thanksgiving: The most dangerous day for home fires, with an average of 2,300 fires, mainly caused by cooking fires. 
• Christmas Day: Fires from cooking, lit candles, and holiday decorations are common. Candle fires are 2.5 times more likely than on an average day.
• Christmas Eve: This day has similar risks to Christmas Day, with added danger from holiday lights and Christmas trees. 
• New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day: These days see a sharp rise in fireworks-related fires and burns from sparklers. 
• Even holidays like Halloween, with flammable costumes and candles, pose unique fire risks. 

Smoke Alarms and Safety Basics  

Fire safety is an essential part of home safety, especially during the holidays when kids are more likely to be around potential fire hazards. Teaching your children the basics of being fire-smart in an interactive and fun way can help them understand its importance.

Here are some key steps you can take:

Test Your Alarms Together
Make it a family activity! Have them help test the alarms by pressing the button and listening for the sound. Explain why an alarm is important and how it works. You can even turn it into a game by timing how quickly everyone can get outside after hearing the alarm.

Create a Fire Escape Plan
Make a fire escape plan, then turn your fire plan into an adventure. Walk your children through the plan and practice escaping through different exits. Use markers to draw a map of your home with labeled escape routes, and let your them decorate it. Hang it on the fridge as a reminder.

Play “Stop, Drop, and Roll”
Make learning fun. Practice “Stop, Drop, and Roll” with your kids. You can even make it a race to see who can do it correctly the fastest. This simple drill helps them remember what to do if their clothing catches fire.

Holiday Fire Safety for Kids  

Safe Decoration Practices

• Inspect Holiday Lights: Check each holiday light strand for frayed or pinched wires before use. Throw out any damaged lights to prevent electrical fires.
• Use Surge-Protected Power Strips: Plug holiday lights into surge-protected power strips to avoid overloads and reduce risk. Avoid directly connecting multiple strands.
• Unplug When Unattended: Reduce the risk of electrical fires. Always unplug lights when leaving the house and before bed.
• Check Power Cords: Regularly check power cords and extension cords for wear. Also, make sure lights and ornaments are plugged into surge protectors without overloading them by connecting too many items at once.

Candle Safety

• Go Flameless: Consider using battery-operated flameless candles to provide the same warm glow without the risk of fire.
• Use Real Candles Safely: If using real candles, place them in a stable holder and ensure it is at least 12 inches away from flammable items like curtains or decor.
• Never Leave Candles Unattended: Always extinguish lit candles before leaving an area or going to bed. This practice includes outdoor features like jack-o-lanterns.

Fireplace and Stove Safety

• Use a Fire Screen: A sturdy fire screen helps contain embers and prevents sparks from reaching floors or nearby objects.
• Keep Flammable Items Away: Keep wrapping paper, ornaments, and other flammable materials at least 3 feet away from an open flame, such as those from a fireplace or wood stove.

Safe Use of Space Heaters

• Use Heaters with Automatic Shut-Offs: This feature helps prevent the units from overheating.
• Proper Placement: Use heaters on stable, non-flammable surfaces. Avoid using them on rugs or near other items that could catch fire. Also, keep them out of areas where youngsters or pets could knock them over. 

Kitchen Fire Safety  

• Create a “Child-Free Zone”: Keep children and flammable items away from the stove and oven. A safe zone of at least 3 feet is recommended to prevent fires and burns.
• Turn Pot Handles Inward: This prevents bumps leading to spills which could start fires or cause burns.
• Follow Safety Guidelines: Refer to the National Fire Protection Association’s guidelines for safe cooking practices. 
• Clean up greasy spills as you cook to minimize risks. (It will make cleanup easier too!)

Kids Fire Safety Tips by Holiday

Halloween Fire Hazard Prevention 

• Flame-Resistant Costumes: Choose costumes, wigs, and accessories labeled as flame-resistant, such as materials like nylon or polyester. Avoid long or flowing outfits that could brush against flames.
• Skip Masks with Limited Vision. Your trick-or-treaters need to see their surroundings to avoid bumping into lit hazards.
• Use Battery-operated Candles. They are safer than real ones for jack-o’-lanterns and decorations. Remind youngsters to be careful around homes with real candles in their Halloween displays.
• Use Glow Sticks or Flashlights: Give children flashlights or glow sticks to light their way as they trick-or-treat at night.
• Keep Decorations Away from Heat Sources: Keep items, like dried cornstalks and crepe paper, away from heat sources, including light bulbs, which can get hot. They’re flammable and pose fire hazards. 

You might also like: 7 Easy Trick or Treat Safety Tips

Thanksgiving

• Kitchen Safety: Thanksgiving is the most dangerous of the holidays for home fires, with cooking mishaps being the leading cause. Set up a “child-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and oven to keep kids safe.
• Never Leave Cooking Unattended: Stay in the kitchen while cooking, and turn pot handles inward to prevent spills and burns.

Christmas Tree Safety

Remember, fire departments respond to almost 150 home Christmas tree fires each year. This means Christmas tree care should be at the top of your list.

• Water Your Christmas Tree: Keeping a well-watered tree can significantly reduce the risk of home Christmas tree fires.
• Place Trees Safely: Keep Christmas trees at least 3 feet from heat sources like space heaters or fireplaces.
• Secure the Tree: Anchor the Christmas tree to prevent it from tipping or being knocked over by kids or pets.
• Proper Disposal: Dispose of your Christmas tree promptly after Christmas or when it becomes dry. 

Ringing in the New Year

• Leave Fireworks to the Adults: Only adults should handle fireworks. Remind young people to stay away from fireworks. Never let them light or pick up fireworks. Have a bucket of water or a hose nearby.
• Create a Safe Viewing Zone: Set up a kids’ area to watch fireworks. It must be far from where they are being lit.
• Use Safer Alternatives: For a safer celebration, use glow sticks, LED wands, or other light-up toys instead of sparklers.
• Supervise Sparklers Closely: If using sparklers, make sure an adult is paying attention. Remind young ones to hold sparklers at arm’s length, away from their face, clothing, and other people. Always use them outside in open areas.

Emergency Preparedness and Response  

Knowing what to do can keep youth and adults safe. It can make a big difference.

1. Knowing How to Call 9-1-1
Teach young people when and how to call 911. Role-play different scenarios to make sure they feel comfortable making the call. Make sure they know where the phone is kept, how to access emergency features, and how to unlock your cellphone. Remind them to stay calm and clearly provide their address and the nature of the emergency.

2. “Don’t Hide, Go Outside.”
Teach children to leave the house right away if there’s a fire and not to hide. Firefighters are there to help. Never go back inside for toys, pets, or other belongings. 

3. First Aid Basics
Everyone in your household should know basic first aid. For a minor burn, cool it under running water for several minutes. Parents should stress the importance of telling an adult right away if they get hurt so they can receive the right care.

Keep the Season Safe and Enjoyable

The holidays are a time for joy, but safety is essential to keep the season bright. Take a moment to check your home for fire risks—inspect your lights, test alarms, and keep flammable items away from heat sources. Get the kids involved with a quick “Holiday Safety Check” to make it a fun family activity.

A few simple steps can ensure a safe, worry-free holiday season. Make holiday fire safety part of your celebration and enjoy peace of mind knowing your family is protected.

For more information on teaching your children about fire safety, visit these resources from the American Red Cross.

• You May Also Like: Keep Your Home Safe This Fall!

These holiday fire safety tips are brought to you by PuroClean Emergency Services. Keep your household safe and your holidays bright. If you need expert smoke remediation or fire damage repair, call PuroClean Emergency Services, proudly serving our Ohio neighbors from Dayton to Cincinnati. We’re here to help when it matters most.

Sources:

• FEMA: US Fire Administration: Thanksgiving Data Snap Shot
• National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
  • NFPA: Winter Holiday Fire Safety Tips
  • NFPA: Holiday Season Contributes to December as the Leading Month for U.S. Home Fires
  • NFPA: Christmas Tree Fires