The holidays at your home may include family gatherings, hosting overnight guests, or holding parties for friends.  Planning the food and decorations for your celebrations are likely in the forefront of your mind.  However you should also make plans to keep yourself, your family, and your friends safe this holiday season.

The United States Fire Administration reports that each winter an estimated 108,400 residential building fires occur in the United States resulting in 945 deaths, 3,825 injuries, and $1.7 billion in property loss.  The winter season results in the highest number of home fires.  Cooking is blamed for 36 percent of residential fires, and heating is estimated to cause 23 percent of fires in the home. 

Take these steps recommended by the Electrical Safety Foundation International to reduce your risk of a home fire:

• Supervise food that is cooking on the stove at all times.  If you leave the kitchen, even briefly, turn off the stove.
• Use space heaters properly and keep them out of high traffic areas.  Keep space heaters at least three feet away from any flammable materials.  Do not leave a space heater running unattended and turn off space heaters when you leave the room or go to sleep.
• Turn off and unplug all decorations before leaving home or going to sleep.
• Avoid overloading electrical outlets.  Check outlets regularly for problems including overheating and corrosion.

Winter fires are preventable.  However, be proactive by taking the time to test the smoke alarms in your home monthly.  Make sure that your home is protected by an adequate number of working alarms and that your family has a fire escape plan and a known meeting place outside.