Holiday Safety

Phones, smartwatches, kitchen appliances, electric scooters and bikes, tablets, etc.  are popular holiday gifts but are you aware of the risks associated with rechargeable, lithium-ion batteries? Watch the video below to learn more.

Safety tips:

• Purchase and use devices that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory.
• Charge with cables that come with the product, buy replacement cords directly form the manufacturer or a reputable retailer, and check that the chargers have been certified by a third-party testing lab.
• Never place a lithium-ion powered device where they could block your exit in the event of a fire.
• Pay attention to manufacturer instructions that offer important tips for safe operation.

Watch video

• Keep candles away from decorations, trees, and other combustible materials.
• Turn off all lights and blow out all candles before leaving the home or going to sleep.
• Never use a candle if oxygen is used in the home.

Downloadable tip sheet

• Water real trees regularly.
• When setting up the tree, try to position it near an electrical outlet to keep cords short.
• Before leaving home or going to sleep, always unplug tree lights.
• For an artificial tree, check the label to ensure it is fire-retardant.
• Make sure any tree is kept away from exits, heat vents, fireplaces, radiators, televisions, and other heat sources.

• Never leave cooking unattended. This is the leading cause of kitchen fires.
• Turn pot or pan handles inward to prevent burns caused by overturned pots.
• Wear short or close-fitting sleeves to avoid clothes catching on fire.
• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. Turn off burner of you leave the kitchen for any reason.
• Have a pot lid nearby to smother a pan fire. Never pour water on a cooking pan frease fire.
• Keep flammable materials, such as curtains, newspapers or plastic grocery bags, away from heaty sources such as burners and the oven.

Downloadable tip sheet

• Turn off heaters when you go to bed or leave the room.
• Purchase a heater with the seal (stamp) of a qualified testing labratory.
• Place space heaters on a solid, flat surface and keep them and their electrical cords away from things that can burn, high traffic areas, and doorways.
• Do not plug antyhing else into the same circuit as the one you are using for your space heater. Doing so could result in overheating.
• Keep the heater at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn, including people.

Downloadable tip sheet