Don’t Fall for These Autumn Fire Risks

11/20/2019 (Permalink)

The leaves are falling, the temperature is dropping, and the holiday season is fast approaching. With Thanksgiving around the corner and Christmas right behind it, there is no shortage of holiday spirit around this time of year. Everyone loves displaying their cornucopia, dried cornstalks and scented candles. These are all classic hallmarks of the fall holidays, but they can also be very dangerous. Decorations are the cause of 800 reported fires each year. Here are a few tips to keep your decorations from going up in flames:

• Use battery powered lights instead of candles
• Do not leave candles unattended or lit while you sleep
• Keep flammable décor like dried flowers, cornstalk, and crepe paper away from open flames
• Verify that all holiday lights and extension cords have been tested by an organization such as Factory Mutual or Underwriters Laboratory

Fall is also filled with many activities. From apple picking to corn mazes, fall has some of the most fun activities, but some of them can also pose a fire risk. For examples, bonfires are perfect for roasting marshmallows or gathering around on a chilly night, but there needs to be cautionary steps when handling them:

• Set your bonfire up at least 25 feet away from structures
• Never use gasoline, kerosene, or any other flammable liquid to start a fire
  • Use a match or lighter to ignite tinder
• Keep the fire small and controlled. Never leave it unattended
• Keep a hose, bucket of water, or sand nearby to extinguish the fire once you’re finished
• Read more about Elgin’s rules on open fires here