(Area) The American Red Cross of Nebraska is urging families to take extra precautions during the holiday season, when home fires sharply increase due to cooking mishaps, unattended candles, and unsafe decorations.
December is the peak month for candle-related fires, which cause an average of 20 home fires a day nationwide. Heating equipment remains a leading cause as well. The Red Cross advises keeping flammable items at least three feet away from heaters and turning off space heaters whenever leaving the room or going to sleep. Heaters should be placed on level, nonflammable surfaces—never on rugs, carpets, or near bedding and drapes. Keep candles away from anything that can burn, out of reach of children and pets, and never leave them unattended.
The Red Cross encourages families to test smoke alarms monthly, install alarms on every level of the home and near sleeping areas, and practice fire escape plans until everyone can exit in two minutes or less. Those unable to afford or install smoke alarms may receive assistance through their local Red Cross.
The organization also highlighted its Home Fire Campaign, which has helped save at least 2,489 lives since 2014 through fire safety education and free smoke alarm installations.
More information, safety tips, and emergency planning tools are available at redcross.org/fire.
