HASTINGS — As the holiday season nears, please be aware of potential fire hazards.
Christmas lights are listed for indoor or outdoor use, or both. Make sure you are using the right lights for the right situation.
Water a real Christmas tree daily to prevent the tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.
With colder weather comes the more frequent use of space heaters. Keep combustibles 3 feet away from space heaters. Also, avoid plugging space heaters into extension cords.
Blown fuses or tripped breakers can indicate a larger issue that must be addressed. Consult an electrician.
When using the fireplace, make sure the chimney is clean. Don’t burn wrapping paper because it will substantially contribute to the risk of fire, due to the composition of the paper.
Thanksgiving is the number one day for cooking fires. Avoid unattended cooking.
Practice caution if using a fryer, don’t use a turkey fryer indoors and fully thaw the turkey before cooking.