Prepared by: Ronald Wells - rev:2 11/12/2018
The Holiday season is a time to
celebrate family, friends and give
thanks for our good fortunes.
Unfortunately, the Holidays can also be a
time when mishaps occur. Hopefully this
presentation will remind you of the
precautions we can all take…to have a
Safe and Happy Holiday Season.
Holiday Cooking
During the holidays,
more structure fires are
caused by cooking than
anything else.
On Thanksgiving day,
Christmas Eve, and
Christmas day there
are more cooking fires
than any other day of
the year.
Cooking Reminders
Holiday Cooking
safety
• Turn handles on pots and pans inward on stove.
• Do not leave cooking unattended.
• Do not leave foods that require refrigeration out
too long (spoiled foods).
Fire Detectors
• Test them and change the battery if necessary. It
could be the first alert, in the event of a fire
Cooking Fires Stats & Factors
• FEMA reported 76.5% of residential Thanksgiving day fires in
the US, were a result of COOKING. A 25% increase compared
to any other day throughout the year
https://www.usfa.fema.gov/downloads/pdf/statistics/snapshot_thanksgiving.pdf
• Unattended cooking is the single leading factor contributing to
cooking fires.
• Many other cooking fires begin because combustible materials
(potholders, towels, paper, etc.) are too close to cooking heat
sources.
• Frying is the cooking method posing the highest risk during the
Holidays.
• More than half of home cooking injuries occur when people try
to fight the fire themselves, or use the wrong extinguishing
agent on the fire. “WATER & OIL DO NOT MIX”!
When Cooking in the Kitchen
To prevent cooking fires:
STAY ALERT!!
Don’t cook if you:
• Are sleepy
• Have been drinking
alcohol
• Have taken medication
that makes you drowsy.
Keep combustible itemspotholders, wooden utensils,
paper/plastic bags, towels or
packaging – away from the
stovetop.
Keep the stovetop, burners
and oven clean.
• Stay in the kitchen when
you are frying, grilling, or
boiling.
• If you have to leave the
kitchen, turn off the
stovetop.
• If you are baking, roasting,
or broiling food, check it
regularly.
• Remain in the home while
the food is cooking and use
a timer to remind you when
it is ready.
If a Cooking Fire Starts
WHEN IN DOUBT --- GET OUT !!!!
1.
2.
3.
4.
Alert everyone else in the house to leave.
When you leave, close the door behind you.
Call 911
If you try to put the fire out:
• Make sure the others are already getting out.
• Make sure that you have a clear path out. Don’t trap
yourself.
5. If it is a pot or pan fire --- put a lid on it and turn the burner
off. DO NOT REMOVE THE LID !!!
6. Do not remove the pot or pan or lid until it is completely
cooled
Smoke Detectors
• If smoke detectors sound frequently during
cooking, you may need to move them further
from the kitchen area. Once you’re sure there
is no FIRE!
• If a smoke detector sounds during cooking,
open a window or door and fan the detector
with a magazine or towel to move air around
the detector to clear the sensor.
• NEVER DISABLE THE SMOKE DETECTOR
OR REMOVE THE BATTERY just because it is
sounding
Turkey Fryer Safety
• Only use turkey
fryers outdoors and
a safe distance from
buildings and other
combustible
materials
• Never use turkey
fryers:
• indoors or
• in a garage or
• on a wooden deck.
Turkey Fryer Safety
• Make sure the turkey fryer
is on a flat level surface.
• Never leave the fryer
unattended.
• Most units do not have
thermostat controls. The
oil will continue to heat
up to it’s ignition
temperature.
• The oil will remain very
hot for several hours after
you finish cooking.
• Keep pets and small children
away from the fryer.
Turkey Fryer Safety
• To avoid spillovers –
do not overfill the
fryer with oil.
• Make sure the turkey
is completely thawed
out.
• Thaw 24 hours for
every 5 lbs of turkey.
• WATER (ice) & HOT
OIL DO NOT MIX !!!
Turkey Fryer Safety
• Use well insulated pot
holders or oven mitts when
touching the pot or handles.
• Keep an all-purpose fire
extinguisher nearby. The
NFPA recommends a
CLASS - K fire extinguisher
be on-site.
• Never use water on a hot
grease fire.
• WATER (ice) & HOT OIL DO
NOT MIX !!!
Protecting Others from Cooking Burns
• Keep children (& pets) at least 3 feet
away from where food is being cooked.
Farther if there is the possibility of oil
splattering.
• Keep hot foods and liquids away from
the edges of tables and stovetops.
• Use the rear burners, if you have young
children.
• Never hold a child while cooking.
Celebrating the Holidays
Get Togethers
• Take your role as host seriously.
• Ensure Designated Drivers are
available.
• Offer a place to stay.
• Provide plenty of food so guests will
not drink as much.
• Don’t push drinks.
• Use caution for smokers and loose
ashes.
• If at a public setting, DO NOT LEAVE
YOUR DRINKS UNATTENDED!
• Avoid celebrations that include illegal
substances.
Holiday Shopping Safety
Shop with a friend or family. There is safety in numbers.
 Be alert, stay in well lit areas at all times.
 If you carry a purse, keep it in front of your body and close to
you.
 Carry your keys in your pocket. If a thief gets your purse, you
will still have the keys to your house and car.
 Dress casually. Thieves and pickpockets are attracted to
expensive clothes and jewelry.
 Don’t flash large amounts of cash.
 Lock your car and don’t leave anything in plain sight.
 Avoid parking next to suspicious looking vehicles where thieves
can hide.
 Check your car for uninvited guests prior to getting in.
 Don’t over burden yourself with packages.

Holiday Shopping
Toy Buying Awareness for those with Infants
and Toddlers
• Select Toys to suit age, abilities, skills & the child’s interest.
• For infants & toddlers, avoid toys with small parts (choking).
• Don’t buy electric toys with heating elements for children
under 8.
• Read the label and use the age guidelines for that toy.
• Look for sturdy construction and tightly secured small parts.
• Discard plastic wrappings immediately (suffocation hazard).
• Call Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) hotline
800-638-2772 to report dangerous toys.
• Check the government recall list on the internet at
www.cpsc.gov.
Christmas Tree Safety
Christmas Tree Safety
• Make sure the tree is fresh - no falling needles
• Keep the tree fresh - keep it in a bucket of water until
you are ready to bring it inside
• When you bring it in cut a diagonal slice off the
bottom of the trunk
• Use a sturdy holder with wide-spread legs
• Keep water in the tree holder
Christmas Tree Safety
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Keep the tree away from heat like fireplaces, heaters, and heat ducts
After the season, recycle or discard the tree – Don’t burn it
If you are considering an artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant
The below video shows how fast a DRY TREE CAN BURN
Christmas Tree Safety
Lights
• Make sure that lights
have a factory label
which assures it has
been safety tested
• Inspect each string of
lights to make sure
there is no damage
• Position bulbs so they
are not in contact with
needles or ornaments
• If you string lights
together, don’t string
more than 200 midget or
50 larger bulbs through
one string
• Don’t connect more than 3
sets of lights on the same
extension cord
• Keep cords and plugs
away from the water
under the tree
Decorations
• Make sure that fragile glass
ornaments - or ornaments that
small children could mistake
for candy- are placed high on
the tree or consider not using
them
• If small children are in the
home do not use older
ornaments that may be made
with toxic materials such as
lead based paints
Holiday Travelers
Travel & Out of Town Considerations
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Expect increased security at the airports (allow more time).
Have a picture ID ready (avoid using Federal ID overseas).
Don’t leave bags unattended or carry one for strangers.
Keep carry-on luggage light & store under the seat in front
of you.
Watch for heavy items stored over your head.
Pack any medicines or dietary needs in your carry-on bag.
Dress for the climate you are going to.
Avoid Social Media posting of Travel Plans. This could be
an invitation to take what is wanted from your home.
Inform your local authorities of your travel plans and ask to
have your home put on patrol watch
If you have a Home Security alarm let the service provider
know you will be out of town and how you would like them
to act if the alarms triggers in your absence
Inform your bank, to prevent a HOLD being place on your
Debit Card, from out of town purchases
Have Safe & HAPPY HOLIDAY