FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Springfield Fire Department has a few reminders to keep you and your family safe during the 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, but not both.
- Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect.
- Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.
- Keep decorations away from windows and doors.
- Blow out any lit candles when you leave the room or go to bed.
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 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. Douse cigarette butts with water before discarding.
“A working smoke alarm is your best way to be alerted of a fire, and alarms should be replaced every 10 years,” says Fire Chief David Pennington. If you need a new smoke alarm visit https://www.springfieldmo.gov/1990/Smoke-Alarms or contact the Springfield Fire Department at [email protected] or 417-874-2300 to request one. For media only: For more information, call the Springfield Fire Department media line at 417-874-2301.