Gilbert Fire & Rescue Department Shares Essential Safety Tips for a Fire-Free Holiday Season

The Gilbert Fire & Rescue Department is offering important safety tips to help ensure holiday celebrations remain safe and fire-free. Cooking poses significant risks. The National Fire Protection Agency highlights Thanksgiving as the leading day for kitchen and cooking fires each year.

Noteworthy for the careful attention it demands, cooking should never be left unsupervised, especially when using the stovetop or oven. With a house filled with the exuberance of family, it's easy to get distracted; hence, the importance of keeping your culinary space free from children and pets is emphasized. Practical tips like turning pot handles away, and clearing the kitchen floor of potential tripping hazards such as toys, clothes, and bags, as well as the categorical warning against using water to extinguish a grease fire, are all highlighted by the Gilbert Fire & Rescue Department, according to the town's official website.

Another festive favorite, turkey frying, comes with its own set of precautions. The deceptively simple process of frying a turkey can be a hazard if not done correctly. Proper turkey preparation is imperative—thoroughly defrosted and dry to avoid oil spatter. The department stresses the significance of never leaving your fryer unattended and ensures the proper oil level in the pot to accommodate the volume of the turkey, thus preventing overflow. An outdoor area, free from structures and combustibles, is recommended as the ideal setup for frying, augmented by having a fire extinguisher within reach for emergency readiness. Post-cooking, the responsible disposal of cooking grease is advised at the Gilbert Household Hazardous Waste Facility.

Holiday hazards aren't just about cooking—they also involve decorating. Falls from ladders and candles causing over a third of home decoration fires are serious risks. Always use ladders with a partner, avoid overreaching, and keep candles away from flammable items. The Gilbert Fire & Rescue Department also recommends blowing out candles before leaving a room or going to bed and checking if your holiday lights are for indoor or outdoor use. Finally, keep your live Christmas tree watered to reduce fire risk, as detailed by the town's official website.

Transitioning into cooler weather also marks an opportune time to maintain smoke detectors. This involves monthly testing and semi-annual cleaning, an annual change of batteries, and a comprehensive replacement every decade for optimal functionality. Ensuring your smoke detectors are in working order can be just as essential to your family’s safety as the more visible measures taken during this holiday season.