Holiday and Winter Fire Safety Tips

Please read the below message from the Elizabeth Township Code Enforcement Department on how you can stay safe and avoid fires this holiday season!

🔥 Holiday & Winter Fire Safety Tips Every Homeowner Should Know 

December and January are historically the most dangerous months for home fires, and with our township recently experiencing several tragic incidents, now is the time for all of us to review and strengthen our fire-safety habits. Winter brings cold temperatures, holiday celebrations, increased cooking, and heavier use of heating equipment — all of which significantly raise fire risk. 

Please take a moment to read and share these life-saving tips with your family, neighbors, and loved ones. 

🎄 Holiday Decoration & Christmas Tree Safety 

• Keep live trees watered daily. Dry trees ignite and burn extremely fast. 

• Place trees away from heat sources (fireplaces, baseboard heaters, radiators, and vents).

 • Use only UL-listed lights and never use damaged, frayed, or old light strings. 

• Turn off all holiday lights before bed or leaving home. 

• Keep candles well away from decorations, greenery, curtains, or anything that can burn. 

• Use flameless LED candles when possible. 

🔥 Heating Equipment Safety 

• Keep a 3-foot safety zone around fireplaces, wood stoves, space heaters, and radiators. 

• Plug space heaters directly into the wall, not power strips or extension cords (these can overheat). 

• Turn space heaters OFF when going to sleep or leaving a room. 

• Have chimneys and fireplaces professionally cleaned and inspected annually. 

• Use a sturdy fireplace screen to keep embers from escaping. 

• Never use an oven or stove to heat your home. 

🍳 Kitchen & Cooking Safety 

Cooking fires are the #1 cause of home fires during the holidays. 

• Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop. 

• Keep anything flammable (towels, oven mitts, packaging, utensils) away from burners. 

• If a fire starts in a pan, slide a lid over it to smother the flames — never use water. 

• Turn pot handles inward to avoid accidental spills. 

• Keep kids and pets 3 feet away from hot cooking surfaces. 

🕯 Candle Safety 

• Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn. 

• Use sturdy holders and place candles on stable surfaces only. 

• Never leave candles unattended—even for a moment. 

• Extinguish all candles before leaving the room or going to bed. 

• Consider switching to battery-operated candles. 

🔌 Electrical & Extension Cord Safety 

• Do not overload outlets or power strips. 

• • Avoid running cords under rugs or across doorways. 

• • Check for cracked or damaged cords and replace them immediately. 

• • Use outdoor-rated cords for outdoor decorations. 

• • Unplug appliances when not in use, especially during long trips. 

• Have an electrician inspect frequent breaker trips. 

🔥 Furnace, Dryer & Home Maintenance Safety 

• Change furnace filters regularly to prevent overheating. 

• Clean dryer lint traps after every load and the exhaust vent annually—lint fires are common. 

• Keep mechanical rooms uncluttered and free of items stored against furnaces or water heaters. 

🧯 Smoke Alarms, CO Alarms & Fire Extinguishers 

• Install smoke alarms on every level, in every bedroom, and outside sleeping areas. 

• Test alarms monthly, replace batteries yearly, and replace entire units every 10 years. 

• Install carbon monoxide (CO) detectors, especially near sleeping areas. 

• Keep a multi-purpose fire extinguisher (ABC) on each level of your home, especially near the kitchen. 

• Never run generators, vehicles, or grills in enclosed spaces.

• Make sure everyone knows how to use an extinguisher (PASS: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep). 

🚪 Home Escape Planning 

• Create and practice a home fire escape plan with all household members. 

• Identify two ways out of every room. 

• Designate an outdoor meeting place safely away from the home. 

• Make sure house numbers are clearly visible from the street for first responders. 

• Remember: Get Out, Stay Out, Call 911. 

🛠 Fireplace, Wood Stove & Outdoor Equipment 

• Store ashes in a metal container with a tight lid—never in paper or plastic bags. 

• Keep the ash container outside, away from the house, deck, or garage. 

• Use only dry, seasoned wood in fireplaces and stoves. 

• Never burn wrapping paper, boxes, pine needles, or holiday tree branches in a fireplace—they burn too hot and can cause chimney fires. 

• Keep gas grills and propane tanks at least 10 feet from structures and never use them indoors. 

❄ Winter Storm Preparedness 

• Use generators outdoors only, far from doors and windows—CO is deadly. 

• Keep pathways, hydrants, and driveways clear of snow to help firefighters in emergencies. 

• If using portable heaters during outages, follow all safety guidelines carefully. 

❄️ Winter Safety Tips for Adults & Children 

🧥 Cold Weather Preparedness 

• Dress in layers, including hats, gloves, and waterproof boots. 

• Keep extra clothing, blankets, and emergency supplies in vehicles. 

• Limit exposure for infants, older adults, and pets—who lose body heat faster. 

🌨️ Winter Weather & Storm Safety 

• Keep sidewalks, steps, and driveways clear of snow/ice to prevent slips. 

• Use salt or sand on icy surfaces. 

• Make sure house numbers are visible to emergency responders. 

• Stock up on essentials before major storms—water, food, medications. 

🚗 Winter Driving Safety 

• Slow down—roads may be icy even if they look clear. 

• Keep an emergency kit in your car (blanket, flashlight, scraper, snacks). 

• Never warm up a car in a closed garage; carbon monoxide builds quickly. 

• Make sure children are buckled in properly over thin layers only (no bulky coats under car seats). 

⛸️ Outdoor Winter Activity Safety 

• Monitor children while they sled, skate, or play outside. 

• Avoid sledding near roads, trees, or fences. 

• Check ice thickness before skating—when in doubt, don’t go out. 

• Ensure kids wear helmets when skiing, snowboarding, or sledding. 

🏡 Indoor Winter Health & Safety 

• Keep humidifiers and furnace filters clean. 

• Ensure vents for dryers, furnaces, and fireplaces are clear of snow. 

• Avoid placing space heaters in children’s rooms. 

• Keep medications, lighters, and matches stored out of reach. 

❄️ Holiday & Winter Wellness 

• Practice safe food handling and proper food storage during gatherings. 

• Maintain hydration—dry winter air can cause dehydration faster. 

• Encourage kids to take warm-up breaks when playing outside. 

• Check on elderly neighbors or vulnerable family members during extreme cold. 

❤️ Final Words 

The holiday and winter season should be joyful—but it’s also a time when risks increase. By practicing these fire and winter safety tips, we can work together to keep our homes, families, and community safe. 

❤️ A Final Reminder 

Fire safety is something we all must take seriously, especially during these high-risk winter months. Simple precautions save lives. Please share these tips with friends, family, and neighbors so everyone stays safe during this holiday season.