Tips and Free Brochures to Help Minimize the Threat of Holiday Fires
December 18 2009 - 7:15AM
PR Newswire (US)
WARWICK, R.I., Dec. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- There are many
causes for celebration during the winter holiday months, but it's
also the time of the year when the threat of home fires increases
dramatically. According to the National Fire Protection
Association, December, January, and February are the leading months
for home fires, resulting in billions of dollars in property
damage, as well as thousands of injuries and deaths. Fires can
originate from many sources: too many holiday lights plugged into
an outlet, portable heating devices, or roaring fireplaces.
However, there are precautions homeowners can take. The use of
alternative heating devices is a significant source of many winter
fires. "Fire departments and organizations such as the American Red
Cross are at their busiest during the winter," said Mike Convery,
vice president and chief claim officer for MetLife Auto &
Home®. "Alternative heating devices, such as a space heater or wood
stove, can help a household save money, but they increase the
likelihood of a home fire occurring, if used improperly." Holiday
candles are also leading causes of fires. In fact, the greatest
number of home candle fires happen during celebrations such as
Christmas Day, and during Hanukkah and Kwanzaa. Many fires occur
when holiday decorations, including centerpieces, come into contact
with lit candles. "The fact is, many fires are preventable, if the
proper precautions are taken," said Convery. "To help avoid a
tragedy, review the basics of fire safety. It only takes a few
minutes and it could save a life." FIREPLACE AND WOOD-STOVE SAFETY
TIPS -- Keep a tight-fitting screen on your fireplace and obtain a
professional inspection annually. You should also have your chimney
cleaned on a regular basis to remove any debris. -- If you have a
wood-burning stove, make sure there is ample clearance between the
stove and any combustible materials. Burn only dry, well-seasoned
wood, and dispose of the ashes in a closed metal container outside
the house. -- Do not burn trash in the stove -- this can start a
chimney fire. Never let a wood fire burn unattended or overnight.
-- Never use flammable liquids to start or accelerate a fire. Also,
never burn charcoal indoors, because it can give off lethal amounts
of carbon monoxide. -- With any type of heater, such as an electric
space heater or portable kerosene heater, use common sense. Always
keep the heater away from flammables and never place a heater in a
bathroom or any other area where it may come in contact with water.
Have your heater serviced per the manufacturer's instructions.
HOLIDAY FIRE PREVENTION TIPS -- If you celebrate the season with a
live Christmas tree, select one that is fresh and water it
regularly. Keep it away from heat sources and exits. If you use an
artificial tree, make sure it's flame-resistant. -- Never leave a
lit Hanukkah Menorah or a Kwanzaa Kinara unattended. Have a candle
snuffer and an appropriate fire extinguisher nearby. -- Deep-frying
turkey during the holidays is becoming an American tradition, but
be warned: there is the risk of severe injury and property damage
from using gas-fired turkey fryers. Fryers can easily tip over,
spilling up to five gallons of hot oil, and if a partially frozen
turkey is dunked into the fryer, the oil could spill over and cause
an explosion. Units without automatic thermostat controls can heat
the oil to the point of combustion. -- Never burn a discarded
Christmas tree, wreath, or branches in your fireplace. A Christmas
tree can be very oily and may damage your chimney. More
importantly, dry trees burn hot and fast, and often release sparks.
Just one spark could ignite a carpet or window coverings. -- With
plenty of electric lights and decorations set to illuminate the
holidays, it's important to remember not to overload wall outlets
and extension cords. Use a power strip where you can. For
additional information on fire safety, MetLife Auto & Home is
offering free fire safety materials, including a coloring and
activity book entitled "Learn About Fire Safety with the PEANUTS
Gang" and a fire safety brochure entitled "About...Fire Safety."
They are available by calling 1-800-638-5433 (MET-LIFE). MetLife
Auto & Home is a subsidiary of MetLife, Inc. (NYSE:MET), a
leading provider of insurance and financial services with
operations throughout the U.S. and the Latin America, Europe and
Asia Pacific regions. For more information, please visit
http://www.metlife.com/. MetLife Auto & Home is a brand of
Metropolitan Property and Casualty Insurance Company and its
affiliates, Warwick, RI. Contact: David Hammarstrom (401) 827-2273
Ted Mitchell (401) 827-3236 DATASOURCE: MetLife Auto & Home
CONTACT: David Hammarstrom, +1-401-827-2273, , or Ted Mitchell,
+1-401-827-3236, , both for MetLife Auto & Home Web Site:
http://www.metlife.com/
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