El Paso Fire Department Holding Free Holiday Safety Demo

The El Paso Fire Department will be holding a free holiday safety demo this morning, December 23, 2015 at 11 a.m. and the risks associated with holiday décor and space heaters.

The El Paso Fire Department wants everyone to have a happy and safe holiday season and while holiday decorations are festive they can increase the risks of fire and electrical injuries if not used safely.

Candles
Avoid using candles when possible and replace with battery-operated candles instead. If you choose to light candles, keep them away from combustibles like decorations and wrapping paper and place them in locations where they cannot be knocked over. Never use lighted candles on a tree or other greenery, leave them unattended or near pets and children. Extinguish all candles if unattended.

Lights/Electrical Decorations
Carefully inspect for cracked or frayed sockets, loose or bare wires and loose connections. Avoid overloading electrical outlets with too many decorations or electrical devices. Only use lights approved by a nationally-recognized testing laboratory. Consider purchasing LED lights, which use less energy and run cooler than incandescent lights. If you choose to use incandescent lights, never string more than three strands together. Unplug electrical decorations when replacing bulbs or fuses. Unplug all decorations when leaving the house or going to sleep.

Space Heaters
Plug the heater directly into the outlet and never use extension cords. Keep the space heater at least three feet away from anything that can catch fire or is damp or wet, and be sure to use only a flat, level, floor surface. Keep space heaters away from high-traffic areas, but never leave them unattended or in rooms with unsupervised children.