New Hanover County Fire Rescue shares holiday fire safety tips

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — As families prepare for holiday gatherings, New Hanover County Fire Rescue is reminding residents to keep safety in mind while they cook, decorate and celebrate.

“The holidays are certainly filled with joy, but it’s important to take steps to make sure celebrations remain safe,” New Hanover County Fire Rescue Chief Donnie Hall said in a news release. “Things like checking smoke alarms, monitoring food while it’s cooking and making sure decorations are displayed so they aren’t a fire hazard is important to reduce risks.”

Fire officials shared several cooking safety reminders, especially as kitchens get busier this time of year:

• Stay in the kitchen when frying, grilling or broiling food — and turn off the stove if you leave the room.
• If you are simmering, baking, roasting or boiling, check food regularly and use a timer.
• Keep flammable items like oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels and curtains away from the stovetop.
• If a small grease fire starts, slide a lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cool.
• Create a kid-free zone of at least 3 feet around the stove and anywhere hot food or drinks are prepared.

Decorations can also pose fire risks if not used properly. Fire Rescue recommends:

• Choosing decorations that are flame-resistant or flame-retardant.
• Keeping lit candles away from anything that can burn and blowing them out before leaving the room or going to bed.
• Replacing worn light strings and using clips instead of nails to hang them.
• Testing smoke alarms and sharing your home fire escape plan with guests.
• Asking smokers to go outside and providing large, deep ashtrays. Wet cigarette butts before throwing them away.

The department also stresses the importance of working smoke alarms. Homeowners are encouraged to make sure alarms have battery power and are functioning properly.

For homes built before 1999 that do not have smoke alarms in sleeping areas, outside each sleeping area or on every level of the home, New Hanover County Fire Rescue may be able to help. Homeowners can request assistance with smoke alarm installation by filling out a form on the county’s website.