Author: Mike Causey, Insurance Commissioner
Each year as Jan. 1 approaches, I ask folks to take a moment and pause to think about how you can make the new year a safe year. I do that because this season brings more fires than any other time of the year.
Winter weather, along with the use of space heaters, holiday cooking and fireworks celebrating the new year, can increase the potential for home fires. If we take commonsense precautions, 2026 can be enjoyable and comfortable.
Home heating fire deaths are often the result of heating equipment placed too close to things that can catch fire. These items include upholstered furniture, clothing, mattresses or bedding. We also see a rise in home fires on holidays that traditionally involve cooking.
One of the best things you can do to protect your family from fire is to make sure you have working smoke alarms. If your home does catch fire, get out immediately and don’t return to retrieve a pet or belonging. Also, make sure everyone in your family knows at least two ways to escape from your home if there is a fire. Establish a safe place for all your family members to meet outside if there is a fire.
New Year’s Eve celebrations frequently include fireworks. For those using fireworks, remember to always use them on a hard surface away from bushes and homes. Avoid using fireworks if you’ve consumed alcohol. Never let children use fireworks such as sparklers unattended.
The National Fire Protection Association offers some tips to prevent fire or injury:
Cooking
- Always stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling or broiling food. If you need to leave the kitchen, turn off the stove.
- Keep flammable items such as oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels and curtains away from the cooking area.
- Establish a “kid-free zone” of at least three feet around the stove and other areas where hot food or drink is being prepared or carried.
- Be alert when cooking. If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t cook.
- If your stove catches on fire, when in doubt, just get out! Call 911 from outside the home.
Heating
- Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from heating equipment.
- Have a three-foot “kid-free zone” around open fires and space heaters.
- Never use your oven to heat your home.
- Remember to turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
- Always use the right kind of fuel, specified by the manufacturer, for fuel-burning space heaters.
- Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room. Ashes should be cool before putting them in a metal container, placed on a non-combustible area and stored a safe distance away from your home.
- Test smoke alarms at least once a month
Happy New Year!