Work is winding down for the and you’re about to enjoy some time at home. But even though you won’t be clocking in, it’s still important to take safety seriously.

Here are some fire safety tips to help you keep your family safe over the holidays.

1. Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Monitors

  • Test them and make sure they’re working
  • Replace batteries if needed
  • If you don’t have a carbon monoxide (CO) monitor, consider getting one – CO is odorless and invisible, so you can’t rely on your senses to detect it

2. Lights, Cords, and Other Potential Electrical Hazards

  • When plugging lights outside, only use extension cords and lights that are rated for outdoor use
  • Get an extension cord that’s long enough to meet your needs – don’t daisy chain shorter cords
  • Don’t connect different types of lights together (like plugging a new LED light string into your old incandescent one)
  • Don’t run extension cords under carpets, out of windows, or through doorways where they could be pinched
  • Inspect lights and extension cords for damage before use – throw out any that show signs of wear or damage
  • Make sure the plugs are inserted fully into the outlet – partial contact can cause them to overhead or result in an electric shock
  • Don’t overload electrical outlets
  • Any lit candles should be in proper holders on a sturdy surface

3. Use Your Space Heater Wisely

  • If you’re using a space heater, plug it directly into a wall outlet, not an extension cord or power bar
  • Give your space heater lots of room – at least 3 feet of space on all sides
  • Turn off the space heater before leaving the room or going to sleep
  • If you have an older space heater, consider replacing it with a newer model that turns off automatically when it’s tipped or overheating

4. Cook Safely

  • Don’t leave any active cooktops unattended
  • Keep cooking surfaces free of clutter
  • If you’ve had a bit to drink , order in instead of cooking

5. The Tree

  • If you have a real Christmas tree, make sure to keep it well-watered to make it less prone to catching on fire
  • Whether real or artificial, keep the tree away from sources of heat
  • Don’t place lit candles on or near the tree