• Check to be sure local laws permit private fireworks celebrations
• Adults should supervise the use of fireworks
• Sparks and smoldering embers from fireworks can start fires. Have water nearby for emergencies.
• Never use fireworks in neighborhood backyards or other crowded areas.
• Always light fireworks one at a time.

Outdoor Cooking Safety:

• Keep grills a safe distance from houses and overhangs.
• Use only properly labeled starter fluid, never substitute gasoline or kerosene.
• Never apply fire starter to a smoldering fire. Instead, add dry kindling and blow gently across the coals.
• Never leave outdoor cooking unattended.

Halloween:

• Costumes and decorations should only be made of flame-retardant materials. Avoid loose, flammable clothing.
• Each mask, wig and costume must be easily seen at night.
• Use battery-powered lights for jack-o-lanterns, not candles.
• Keep decorations away from sources of heat, such as exposed bulbs and open flames.

Thanksgiving:

• Start holiday cooking with a clean stove and oven
• Keep kitchen clutter and loose clothing away from the stove. s heat.
• Turn pot handles in, away from a child. s reach.
• Use pot holders to prevent burns.
• NEVER throw water on a grease fire. Instead, cover the burning pan with a lid.
• Keep all appliances in good working order.
• Never overload electrical outlets. Unplug appliances when not in use.
• NEVER leave cooking food unattended.
• Keep Thanksgiving decorations away from sources of direct heat.

Christmas:

• Make sure your Christmas tree is fresh. Shedding needles is a sign of a dry tree.
• Keep your tree fresh by placing it in a stand that holds water.
• Make sure artificial trees are flame-retardant.
• NEVER smoke around the tree or flammable decorations.
• Place trees away from direct sources of heat.
• NEVER place a tree so that it blocks an exit.
• Only buy electric lights that are approved by a national testing lab.
• NEVER decorate metal trees with electric lights.
• Always unplug lights before going to bed.
• NEVER run electrical cords through doorways and under rugs.
• Keep candles in sturdy holders and never place them near combustibles, such as curtains.
• Avoid hanging stockings near an open flame.
• NEVER burn paper in a fireplace. This is a major cause of chimney fires.

Happy New Year:

• At a party, check to be sure the exits are clear.
• NEVER let friends drink excessively. Alcohol affects judgement and coordination.
• Check under furniture and cushions for smoldering cigarettes.
• Follow safety guidelines when using fireworks. Better yet, attend a public display operated by professionals.