Home fires are common during the winter holidays. Follow these tips to keep your family safe this season.

Familiarize yourself with the P.A.S.S. method of using a fire extinguisher in advance.

Keep your back to an exit.

Stand 6 to 8 feet from fire.

Leave area if fire does not go out immediately.

How to use a fire extinguisher

Scary stats

Holiday home fires caused by children playing, on average, per day

Lives claimed by holiday home fires, on average, per year

40

500Holiday home fires — started by Christmas trees — that result in death

Reduction in death risk from a house fire when smoke alarms are installed

1 in 22

50%

HOLIDAY SAFETY:HOME FIRES

This unlocks the operating lever. Release mechanisms vary.

Pull the pin

Some extinguishers have a button instead of a lever.

Aim at the fire base and sweep back and forth until flames go out.

Sources: American Red Cross, U.S. Fire Administration, National Fire Protection Association and Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Squeeze the lever to release substance

Point the nozzle (end of nose) at the base of the fire.

Aim low

Sweep from side to side

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Never leave a lit tree unattended

Make sure holiday lights are in good condition

Keep your tree at least 3 feet from heat sources

Consider a flame-retardant, artificial tree

Test smoke detectors once a month, and replace batteries twice a year

P.A.S.S.

Quick tips