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Holiday decorations may be visually appealing, but they also increase
your risk for a home fire. According to the National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA), electrical problems
cause 38 percent of home Christmas tree fires.
As you deck the halls of your home this season, follow these tips
from NFPA and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) to prevent serious electrical
and fire hazards:
- Check light sets for frayed or damaged wiring before using;
- Connect no more than three mini light sets for decorating;
- Keep your tree at least three feet away from heat sources like
fireplaces, radiators, candles or heat vents;
- If you have a live tree, remember to add water to the tree stand
daily; and
- Always turn off holiday lights before leaving home or going to
bed.
Give the gift of safety this season. For more holiday safety tips,
download and share USFA’s “Put a Freeze on
Winter Holiday Fires” infographic with family and friends.
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You might wear gloves and a hat to protect yourself from cold
temperatures outside, but did you know that your home needs protection,
too?
With the proper maintenance, you can prepare
your home for the winter season and reduce heat loss during a power outage.
Follow
these tips from America’s PrepareAthon!, including:
- Hire a contractor to check the
structural ability of your roof to sustain unusually heavy weight from the
accumulation of snow or ice;
- Insulate pipes with insulation or
newspaper and plastic;
- Allow faucets to drip during cold
weather to avoid freezing; and
- Have a professional inspect your
chimney or heating equipment.
For added warmth, you may choose to use
indoor space heaters. If you purchase a space heater, look for one that has an
automatic shut-off or tip-over switch. Place the heater on a level surface away
from high-traffic areas and flammable items such as curtains, bedding, or
furniture. Make sure the room has enough ventilation to help prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
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Winter weather can be dangerous not only
for humans, but for pets too! Taking extra precautions throughout the season can
ensure your pets stay healthy and happy. The Humane Society of
the Unites States offers tips to keep pets safe, including:
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Protect
paws from salt. This and
other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate the pads of your
pet’s feet. Be sure to wipe off their paws with a damp towel;
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Keep pets warm and indoors. No matter the temperature, windchill
can threaten a pet’s life. Pets are sensitive to severe cold and are at
risk for frostbite when outdoors during extreme cold snaps; and
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Avoid
antifreeze poisoning. Antifreeze has a sweet taste that may attract animals but is a
deadly poison. Don’t allow pets to wander unattended near driveways,
garages or other places when they may come into contact with antifreeze.
It only takes a few tablespoons of
highly toxic antifreeze to injure your pet. Learn the signs
of antifreeze poisoning.
Are you prepared for the holidays? The Federal Emergency Management
Agency is pleased to invite you to join a webinar on how to prepare for winter
weather and discuss holiday preparedness safety tips.
Title: ‘Tis the Season: Preparing for a Winter Storm
and the Holidays
Date: Thursday, December 10, 2015
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. (ET)
Speakers:
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Matthew Lyttle,
from the FEMA Individual and Community Preparedness Division, will discuss
America’s PrepareAthon! and ways to prepare for a winter storm.
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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather Service will present on the winter seasonal
outlook, El Niño, Winter Weather Safety Campaign and driving safety.
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Judy Comoletti,
from the National Fire Protection Association, will present on holiday
safety and the risk of Christmas tree and cooking fires.
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Sandy Facinoli,
from the FEMA U.S. Fire Administration, will present on holiday
safety, the risk of electrical and candle fires, the danger of New Year’s
fireworks and heating safety.
How to Join the Webinar:
We hope that you will be able to join us on
December 10!
Disclaimer: The reader recognizes that the
federal government provides links and informational data on various disaster
preparedness resources and events and does not endorse any non-federal events,
entities, organizations, services or products. Please let us know about other events
and services for individual and community preparedness that could be included
in future newsletters by contacting citizencorps@fema.dhs.gov.
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