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The Columbia Fire Department suggests tips to keep you and your family safe this holiday season.

Cooking Safety Tips:

• Use back burners on the stove and turn handles so that pots cannot be knock or pulled over by children.
• Pay attention when cooking and avoid using excessive heat.
• Never leave food, especially grease, unattended on the stove.
• Use a dry powder fire extinguisher on grease fires, or cover the pot with a cooking sheet or lid. Never put water on a grease fire.
• Keep stove clean of excessive grease.
• Keep any items that may burn three feet from the stove and toasters when cooking.
• Do not wear loose clothing such as long hanging sleeves and robes while cooking.
• Never carry children and hot food or liquids at the same time.
• Place cooking appliances such as coffee makers, fryers, and their cords out reach of children.
• Never use grills and other outdoor equipment, under carports, in garages or in the house.

• Make sure that any electrical items you purchase is UL approved.
• Keep children and pets away from candles.
• Make sure Christmas trees are kept away from heat sources.
• Keep live Christmas trees well watered.
• Use approved lights for your tree. Use indoor lights inside and outdoor lights outside.
• Do not overload electric outlets or over use extension cords. Do not run electrical cords under rugs and carpets.
• Inspect light strings carefully for cracked sockets, frayed, bare wires, and loose connections.
• Keep electrical lights strands and decorations out of reach of children.
• Turn lights off before going to bed or leaving the house.
• Do not block doorways or hallways with decorations. All exits should be kept accessible.
• Blow candles out before leaving the house or going to bed.
• Keep candles out of reach of children and pets.