How to avoid a Griswold family Christmas

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation is said to be one of the most enjoyed Christmas movies of all time. Whether it’s the crazy in-laws or the unwanted pets, many of us can relate to the movie in one way or another. In fact, the scene when Aunt Bethany’s cat chews the Christmas lights actually points out one of the dangers of the season—fire.

As the busy holiday season approaches and homes become a frenzy of family and friends, important safety concerns can sometimes be overlooked—especially in the kitchen. According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) “cooking is the leading cause of December residential building structure fires” followed closely by heating unit fires.

With property damages from residential fires costing nearly $7 billion in 2006, holiday fires should be one less thing on your Christmas list this year. So, here are some tips and products to protect you and your family.

Cooking
Placing cook books, oven mitts, kitchen towels, and even wooden spoons too close to a stove burner is the easiest way to start a kitchen fire. In case of such a fire, quickly locate your kitchen fire extinguisher and smother the fire. If a grease fire is ignited, don’t use water to extinguish the fire. Splashing water on a grease fire will actually cause it to spread. The best way to extinguish a grease fire is to smother it with a sizeable amount of baking soda or use a fire extinguisher. Also remember not to leave your oven mitt in the oven. They do catch fire. For a fire resistant oven mitt try SiliconeZone oven mitts from Target. They are safe up to 675⁰F.

Heating Appliances
As the weather gets colder, many people are turning on the heat and cuddling up next to a fire. But beware. Heating fires are the second leading cause of all residential fires, and this is mainly due to mechanical failures. Here are several ways to avoid heating fires. Keep fabrics away from heating units since they can easily catch fire. Purchase a fireplace screen to prevent anything from accidentally falling into the fire, and do not overload electrical outlets. The Lasko oscillating ceramic tower heater includes safety features like a self-regulating heat element and automatic overheat protection.

Holiday décor
Holiday décor such as Christmas trees and candles are also responsible for many holiday fires. Whether you’re lighting a menorah or pine scented candles, fire safety should always be observed. When working with candles, place them on a stable surface away from drafts and ceiling fans. The best way to keep a candle flame safe is by placing it in a tall hurricane vase. As for menorahs and kinaras that can’t be placed in a vase, display them in an open space away from curtains, furniture and other flammable decorations. Also, remember that overheated Christmas lights on a dry Christmas wreath or tree may cause a fire.

So remember this season, even though your house is full of family members, it’s still important to pay close attention to the burners, space heaters and candles. While you may not enjoy eating cat food on your Jell-O mold, you don’t want to recreate a scene similar to when Clark Griswold set Uncle Lewis’s toupee on fire.