CASPER FIRE DEPARTMENT OFFERS FIRE SAFETY TIPS FOR SENIORS DURING THE HOLIDAYS

 

 

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                (Casper, WY) -- There are words of caution from the Casper Fire Department this holiday season, concerning fire safety in the home.  Ryan Neff of the department's Community Risk Reduction Division (pictured above) addressed a group of local seniors during the Senior-Wise program at the Casper Senior Center recently and offered many suggestions on preventing fires while we celebrate. He said it's important to remember that unattended cooking fires are the number one cause of fire deaths in the US. "Typically, that means stove top fires," he said, "because it's so easy to become distracted and walk out of the kitchen while food is cooking. An easy way to avoid stove top fires is to carry a hot pad out of the kitchen with you if you have to leave for a moment. This will help remind you food is still cooking." 

                Another common cause of fire is related to deep frying turkeys. "They're very tasty when they're cooked that way but it's also very dangerous when they're cooked that way," he cautioned, adding that some cooks haven't realized the turkey needs to be thawed before being lowered into the deep fryer and it can actually explode. "If you're going to deep fry your turkey make sure you do it outside and away from buildings," he recommended. 

                Candles are another potential fire hazard during the holidays. "One of the suggestions the Casper Fire Department makes," he said, "is to use flameless candles. That way you get the great fragrance  in your house without the flame. And if you're going to use candles make sure there's a one foot clearance around them from anything that could burn."

                He also addressed fire safety related to Christmas Trees. "With live Christmas Trees the most important thing is to make sure they always have enough water," he cautioned. But he also stressed the importance of checking the strands of lights that are put on the tree, to make sure there are no frayed cords. He also said it's important to dispose of the tree as soon as possible after Christmas. He noted that there are numerous places in Casper where you can drop off your tree when the holidays are over; the city will dispose of them properly. 

                And he offered some safety suggestions for the lights placed outside your house. "Remember not to overload the extension cords you use," he said, "because you shouldn't plug more than three strands of lights into an extension cord or you'll risk overloading the cord and creating a potential fire hazard."

                Finally, if you have questions about fire safety he said the Casper Fire Department will provide free inspections.

                Senior-Wise is a information and discussion program held Tuesdays at 12:30 at the Casper Senior Center.