Many fires occur when holiday decorations, such as centerpieces, come into contact with a lit candle. This is why it’s important to consider fire safety when using candles as part of your holiday decorating. Always remember—every lit candle is an open flame.

Winter house fires can also start from many other sources: holiday lights plugged into an outlet, portable heating devices, or roaring fireplaces. However, there are precautions that homeowners can take to keep the home fires burning safely.

Fireplace/Wood Stove Safety Tips:

• Keep a tight-fitting screen on your fireplace and obtain a professional inspection annually before usage. Have your chimney cleaned on a regular basis.
• If you have a wood-burning stove, make sure there is enough clearance between the stove and combustible materials. Burn only dry, well-seasoned wood, and dispose of the ashes in a closed metal container outside the house. Do not burn trash in the stove—this can start a chimney fire. Finally, never let a wood fire burn unattended or overnight.
• When using portable kerosene heaters, check the wick every week or two during the heating season. If the wick is dirty, clean it according to manufacturer’s instructions. Remember that kerosene heaters have a constant open flame and should not be used in a room where there are flammable solvents, aerosol sprays, gasoline, kerosene containers or any type of oil. Also, be sure to wipe up any kerosene spillage at once, and remove dust and dirt regularly.
  

"The fact is, many of these fires are preventable, if only the proper precautions are taken," says Mike Convery, chief claim officer at MetLife Auto & Home®. "To help avoid a tragedy, it’s important to review the basics of fire safety—it only takes a few minutes and it could save a life."