{"id":468223,"date":"2025-12-24T05:19:13","date_gmt":"2025-12-24T05:19:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/468223\/"},"modified":"2025-12-24T05:19:13","modified_gmt":"2025-12-24T05:19:13","slug":"how-you-can-keep-your-home-safe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/468223\/","title":{"rendered":"How you can keep your home safe"},"content":{"rendered":"

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.<\/strong> \u2013 From festive Christmas trees to cozy space heaters, common holiday fixtures can quickly become fire hazards if proper precautions aren\u2019t taken, Jacksonville fire officials warned.<\/p>\n

\u201cDuring the holiday, I would be thinking about the Christmas tree lighting,\u201d said Chief Damien Bell, Deputy Fire Marshall for the City of Jacksonville. He emphasized the importance of following manufacturer guidelines when connecting holiday lights and unplugging them when leaving home.<\/p>\n

For households with live Christmas trees, daily watering is essential to prevent fire risks. Bell also cautioned about the dangers of space heaters during cold winter nights.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith space heaters, it\u2019s about not having combustibles within three feet of it. And make sure you are not going to sleep with it,\u201d Bell says. He advises against using old space heaters, particularly those with worn wiring.<\/p>\n

Kitchen Safety Critical During Holidays<\/b><\/p>\n

Holiday cooking requires constant vigilance, according to fire officials. \u201cMake sure that you are monitoring all cooking,\u201d Bell emphasizes. He warns against leaving the kitchen while cooking, even for quick tasks like grocery runs, naps, or showers.<\/p>\n

For those planning to fry turkeys, Bell recommends maintaining at least 10 feet of distance from any structures.<\/p>\n

Smoke Detector Maintenance<\/b><\/p>\n

Fire officials stress the importance of functioning smoke detectors, especially during the holiday season. Different types require different maintenance:<\/p>\n