Festive or Flammable?

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Christmas lights, festive meals, and holiday scented candles are all part of the things that make it feel like Christmas has arrived, but they can also be the unsuspecting fire hazards in your home.

During the holiday season, some of us like to sleep with our Christmas lights on, but Fire Prevention Officer, Corporal Dion Conliffe, tells us that might not be safe unless you make these safety checks.

Conliffe adds that candle enthusiasts should not leave candles unattended and should exercise extra caution when outing their candles, to be completely certain the flame has been totally outed, as some may relight shortly after being extinguished, or may not have extinguished properly in the first place.

Although many of our traditional holiday meals are made with a classic “set it and forget it” slow cooked method, but Conliffe says that is definitely not a rule one should have with cooking.

Even after Christmas, Corporal Conliffe suggests life-saving devices can safeguard your home year-round.

The fire prevention officer says planning before disaster strikes is key.

Should you ever find yourself in a fire, Conliffe says some life saving measures can be remembered by simple phrases, like:

• “fall and crawl” helping you stay below smoke and with more oxygen,
• the famous, “stop, drop, and roll” if your clothes catch fire,
• or “don’t hide, get outside” for kids who may instinctively try to get deeper into the home to hide from the flames.

Finally, Conliffe urges not to waste time looking for or running back in for items.