Fire Department Holiday Safety Tips

Irving Fire Department staff reminds residents to enjoy the holidays by following these important safety tips around the home:

  • When preparing big holiday dinners, do not leave cooking unattended.
  • Frequently water fresh Christmas trees to keep them from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.
  • When hanging outdoor or indoor lighting, do not use damaged electrical cords.
  • Christmas lights should be hung, not stapled, which can damage the wiring.
  • Keep candles away from combustibles and do not leave them unattended.
  • “We remind all of our residents to use common sense during the holidays so you can have a safe and happy season,” said Mike Harris, public education coordinator. Harris also encourages residents to test their smoke alarms every month.

    Smoke Alarms
    The Fire Department has free smoke alarms they will install for homeowners who cannot afford one. To print an application, go to www.cityofirving.org/fire and click on “Fire Safety” then “Free Smoke Detector.” For more information, call (972) 721-3695.

    Fire Fatalities
    Unattended cooking is the number one cause of all residential fires in Irving. Do not leave cooking unattended and do not overheat food by turning the burner up too high.

    In the event of a cooking fire:
    Call 911 (all fires must be reported).
    Extinguish fire by placing a lid on the side of the pan closest to front of stove and sliding it across (always keep a lid handy when cooking).
    Use a wet towel as a shield and to cover fire.
    Sprinkle baking soda, an extinguishing agent for grease fires, over the fire.
    Do not move the pan, use flour or water; this will make the fire worse.

    Courtesy: All about Irving

    Announcments

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