Happy holidays start home fire safety

With the Snowy Christmas season upon us and many who love to decorate their homes and relax by the fire on cold winter days, the Harrisburg Fire Department would like to share some tips on how to be safe this Holiday season.

"We are trained to fight fires, " said Rick Mallady, Captain and Training officer for the Department. "But its better if we can bring awareness and prevent a fire from happening."

Mallady also said that with any change of season there seems to be an increase in fire calls during that period.

Here are a few tips that can reduce the risk of fires during your Holiday fun.

1. Be mindful of lit candles.

Any open flame can be hazardous if left unattended or placed too close to flammable object. With the beautiful decorations that many place around the home including table center pieces, faux flowers, and drying christmas trees. There is a huge risk for fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association there are an average of 10,630 home structure fires started by candles each year. Keep an eye on lit candles, leave plenty of room between the flame and flammable objects, and make sure the candle is placed on a solid surface.

2. Use Power strips and avoid small low wattage extension cords.

Christmas lights, both on the tree and on the home, are beautiful. But too many plugged into a single outlet or low wattage extension cord can cause electrical fires. In addition, many cords wrapped together and hidden behind furniture or under rugs cause a lot of heat and damage the chord insulation.

"Use chords that are the appropriate length and are of a higher grade," said Mallady.

3. Service your flues and fireplaces.

With the colder weather, many are seeking refuge from the cold. An in home fireplace seems like a wonderful way to spend a cold evening with your favorite cup of coffee or hot chocolate. But an unserviced flue can cause a lot of hardship. Soot buildup and debris within the flue can ignite and cause a fire. Also clogged ventilation can cause carbon monoxide to seep into the home.

The National Fire Protection Association says, "Chimneys, fireplaces, and vents should be inspected at least once a year for soundness, freedom from deposits, and correct clearances. Cleaning, maintenance, and repairs should be done if necessary."

4. Space heaters are a concern this time of year.

The use of space heaters has always been a good way to save on energy costs. But there are dangers to having one improperly placed. Space heaters should be a good distance away from flammable objects and if you are using an extension chord, they should be the proper length as well as properly placed so that no one trips over them moving the heater closer to something flammable.

5. Get your major appliances serviced each year.

Furnaces, ovens and water heaters have been known to cause fire hazards without upkeep. Each should be tested by a trained professional at least once a year to make sure they are in proper working order. A furnace that sits unused all summer long can develop debris and leaks.

6. Have proper working smoke detectors and carbons monoxide detectors.

The Harrisburg Fire Department is adamant about making sure to test your detectors once a month as well as replacing the batteries.

"Just that simple monthly check can mean life or death to anyone who is home when a fire breaks out, " said Mallady. "Just be safe and use common sense when it comes to fire safety."