MORE USFA RESOURCES Winter Fire Safety: Tips For The Home Electrical Fire Safety for Manufactured Housing (PDF) Space Heaters, Fireplaces and Wood Stoves for Manufactured Housing (PDF) Check Your Hot Spots! Exposing an Invisible Killer: Carbon Monoxide Fire Safety Beyond the City Limits Fireplace and Home Fire Safety On the Safety Circuit Topical Fire Research Series: Christmas/Christmas Tree Fires (PDF) A Season for Sharing in Fire Safety Winter Storm Fire Safety MORE SAFEKIDS RESOURCES Scooter Safety Holiday Safety Holiday Winter Safety Holiday Toy Safety Holiday Kitchen Safety MORE CDC RESOURCES Holiday Safety Winter Safety Preventing Holiday Blues MORE CPSC RESOURCES Holiday Safety Nightwear Safety Scooter Safety Scooter Update Injury Toy Safety

WASHINGTON -- With the winter holiday season upon us, the United States Fire Administration (USFA) reminds everyone to pay attention to potential fire hazards. As homes become even busier with family and friends, remember that by properly maintaining working smoke alarms and being aware of possible holiday fire threats, you can help protect your home and keep loved ones safe.

"Special fire safety precautions should be taken during the winter holiday season," said USFA Administrator Carrye B. Brown. "The combination of active heating elements, extra holiday lights, and decorations require everyone to be more mindful of fire safety."

The USFA recommends the following safety tips this holiday season:

• Have your furnace and chimney professionally inspected and cleaned. Chimney tar build-up can ignite your chimney, roof and the whole house.
• Space heaters need space. Keep combustibles at least three feet away from each heater.
• Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up.
• If you do use lit candles, make sure they are in stable holders are placed where they can not be easily knocked down. Never leave the room with candles burning.
• Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks. Make certain tree stands are filled with water at all times and do not smoke near an indoor tree.
• Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks.
• Working smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas. Remember to also test smoke alarms monthly, and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times.
• The United States Fire Administration (USFA), part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, seeks to reduce the number of fire injuries and deaths. The USFA reports that more than 70 percent of fire deaths occur in residences, with children and the elderly facing the highest risks. Please visit the USFA Web site at www.usfa.fema.gov for more fire safety information.

"This holiday season make sure to include the gift of fire safety for all your family and friends," Brown said. "Every life is precious."