The winter and holidays season is approaching fast. The winter is the peak season for home fires. People have a tendency to stay indoors more, increase the use of heating and electric use. The holidays increase cooking and the burning of candles set the season off right. The use of fireplaces to heat homes also increase, and don’t forget space heaters too. These things are all part of the winter holiday season. But the increased use can cause dangers that most of us are unaware of.

The American Red Cross stated. The Red Cross has responded to more than 74,000 disasters that 93% of them were fire related. The National Fire Protection Association reported that residential fires have increased 8% since 2000. The average cost of damages in 2006 were more than $17,000 per household. Homes fires have a financial as well as an emotional toll on its victims. The cost of a human life itself can be detrimental to any family. The use of precautionary measures are important in ensuring the safety of your family.

The use of smoke alarms in a home can save a life. But, if you already have a smoke detector make sure it is in working condition and change the batteries every six months. A fire extinguisher kept in the kitchen for a cooking fire is important and make sure that works too. Discuss with each member in your household the escape plan for when a fire breaks out . Meet in a designated place outside of the home once you escaped. Please do a head count too make sure that everyone got out of the building and tell that information to the firemen. Once you have made it out of the building stay out and don’t try to go back in, let that for the professionals.

Your safety could be at risk. These are just a few of the measure you can take. Check with your local fire department for more information on how to protect your home and family form a devastating home fire.