The winter holidays are a time for families and friends to get together. But that also means a greater risk for fire. The National Fire Protection Association and Ring have teamed up to provide you verified safety messages that you can share with your community. You can download and schedule these posts to be posted to your residents on Neighbors throughout the holiday season.
Quick Link: Create a Post
Test Your Smoke and CO Alarms
Sample message:
Whether you are traveling or hosting for the holidays, take a moment to check the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. No matter where you celebrating this year be #HolidayFireSafe.
Please test your smoke and CO alarms before the upcoming holidays. Test them out today and comment with a ✅ to let us know you’ve done it!
Source: National Fire Protection Association
Christmas Tree Safety Tips
Sample message:
As you deck the halls this holiday season, be fire smart. A small fire that spreads to a Christmas tree can grow large very quickly. Remember to keep your trees hydrated and be sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights. A heat source too close to the tree causes more than one in five of fires.
Source: National Fire Protection Association
The Gift that Keeps on Giving!
Sample message:
Carbon monoxide (CO) and smoke alarms save lives. Remember to test your smoke and CO alarms once a month to ensure the batteries are working and alarms aren’t expired. Test them out today and comment with a 🎁 to let us know you’ve done it!
Source: National Fire Protection Association
Cooking Responsibly this Holiday
Sample message:
The holidays are a time to celebrate with your family and friends. However, if you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol don’t use the oven or stovetop. The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking, which most commonly start at the kitchen stove.
Source: National Fire Protection Association
Use Battery Operated Candles This Holiday Season
Sample message:
More than one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles. Instead of real candles, consider using battery-operated flameless candles, which mimic the look of real candles without the danger.
Source: National Fire Protection Association
Holiday Decorating Tips
Sample message:
Winter holiday fire facts:
🎄Nearly one in five Christmas tree fires were started by decorative lights.
🎄Roughly two of every five home Christmas tree fires started in the living room.
🎄Year round, more than one-third (35%) of home decoration fires were started by candles. This jumped to almost half in December when candles started 45% of such fires. Cooking started one-fifth (19%) of decoration fires.
Source: National Fire Protection Association
Be Fire Smart: What To Know This Holiday Season
Sample message:
[Community Name] residents,
More than one-third of home decoration fires are started by candles. Follow these safety tips if you plan on using candles this holiday season:
🎄Be careful with holiday decorations. Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
🎄Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.
🎄Keep children and pets away from lit candles.
🎄Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet.
Source: National Fire Protection Association
Stay Safe This Thanksgiving
Sample message:
[Community Name] residents,
The [Agency Name] would like to wish you a safe and a happy Thanksgiving this year.
Cooking causes half (49%) of all reported home fires and more than two of every five (42%) home fire injuries, and it is the second leading cause of home fire deaths (20%).
Remember If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, remain in the home while food is cooking, and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
Source: National Fire Protection Association
Thanksgiving Cooking Safety!
Sample message:
"Did you know that Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for home fires involving cooking equipment?
-Never leave cooking food unattended. Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling or broiling food. If you have to leave, even for a short time, turn off the stove.
-If you are simmering, baking, roasting, or boiling food, check it regularly. Remain in the home while food is cooking and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.
-Always keep an oven mitt and pan lid nearby when you’re cooking. If a small grease fire starts, slide the lid over the pan to smother the flame. Turn off the burner, and leave the pan covered until it is completely cool.
-For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
-Have a “kid-free zone” of at least 3-feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried.
-Turkey fryers that use cooking oil are not safe. These fryers use large amounts of oil at high temperatures, which can cause devastating burns. If you want a fried turkey for your Thanksgiving meal, purchase it from a grocery store, restaurant or buy a fryer that does not use oil.
-Consider purchasing an infrared fryer, air fryer, or electric turkey fryer, that has been listed by a qualified testing laboratory.