Keep your home safe during the holidays during the holidays – Manhattan Times News

Home safety during parties

American Red Cross Tips

The holidays are a wonderful moment to gather everyone. Unfortunately, they can also mean a higher risk of fire in homes.

In fact, most fires in December occur in December.

In these parties, the American Red Cross of the New York Metropolitan Area encourages everyone to follow some simple steps to prevent home fires caused by Christmas decorations.

“December is the time when more domestic fires are related to Christmas candles and ornaments,” said Doreen Thomann-Howe, regional general director of the US Red Cross in the New York metropolitan area. “To protect your family, use candles that work on batteries and practice your two-minute escape plan with all members of your house.”

Safety Tips for Christmas Decorations

Follow these safety tips and visit Redcross.org/Fire for more information. You can also download the free Red Cross emergency application to search for “American Red Cross” in application stores.

• If you must use candles, keep them away from any object that can burn and place them out of the reach of domestic animals and children. Never leave candles on without supervision.
• Check all Christmas light cords to make sure they are not frayed or broken. Do not put too many light threads together: no more than three after extension cable.
• Make sure exterior decorations are for outdoor use and fix lights on the house or trees. If you use hooks or nails abroad, make sure they are insulated to avoid the risk of electric shock or fire.
• When purchasing an artificial tree, look for a fire resistance label. When placing it, keep it away from chimneys, radiators and other heat sources. Never use electric lights in metal trees.
• If you purchase a live tree, make sure you keep it fresh and watered. To know if the tree is fresh, double up and down the needles to ensure all falls.
• Do not turn on the fireplace when you have socks or other ornaments hanging in it.

Install smoke detectors on every system in the home and outside every bedroom. Test them once a month and change the batteries at least once a year. If you can't pay for smoke detectors or physically install them, the Red Cross can help you. Visit www.soundthealarm.org/GNY for more information or to register as a volunteer.

Since October 2014, the Red Cross Fire Campaign has saved at least 2,246 lives in collaboration with Community Partners, which has trained families on fire safety, helped them create emissions plans and installed free smoke alarms in high areas across the country.

To learn more about the campaign and how to get involved, visit Redcross.org/HomeFires.
For more information, visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org.