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Safety Tips

Remember no matter what time of the year ALWAYS keep fire safety in mind.

• At a party, check to be sure the exits are clear.
• Never let friends drink excessively. Alcohol affects judgment and coordination.
• Check under furniture and cushions for smoldering cigarettes.
• Remember, fireworks are not allowed in Apple Valley.
• Enjoy a public fireworks display operated by professionals.

• Remember, fireworks are not allowed in Apple Valley.
• Enjoy a public fireworks display operated by professionals.
• If cooking outdoors:
• Keep grills a safe distance from houses and overhangs.
• Use only properly labeled starter fluid - never substitute gasoline or kerosene.
• Never apply fire starter to a smoldering fire. Instead, add dry kindling and blow gently across the coals.
• Never leave outdoor cooking unattended.

• Costumes and decorations should only be made of flame retardant materials. Avoid loose, flammable clothing.
• Costumes must be easily seen at night. Try adding reflective tape if they are not.
• Avoid wearing masks, but if you must wear one, take it off while walking from house to house and most importantly remove it when crossing the street.
• Use battery-powered lights for jack-o-lanterns, not candles.
• Keep decorations away from sources of heat, such as exposed bulbs and open flames.
• Trick-or-Treat with a group and/or adult.

• Start holiday cooking with a clean stove and/or oven.
• Keep kitchen clutter and loose clothing away from the stove’s heat.
• Turn pot handles in, away from a child’s reach.
• Use pot holders to prevent burns.
• NEVER use water on a grease fire. Instead, cover the burning pan with a lid.
• Never overload electrical outlets or use extension cords in place of hard wired outlets. Unplug appliances when applicable.
• Never leave cooking food unattended.
• Keep Thanksgiving decorations away from sources of direct heat.

• Make sure your Christmas tree is fresh. Shedding needles is a sign of a dry tree.
• Keep your tree fresh by placing it in a stand that holds water.
• Make sure artificial trees are flame-retardant.
• Never smoke around the tree or flammable decorations.
• Place trees away from direct sources of heat.
• Never place a tree so that it blocks an exit.
• Only buy electric lights that are approved by a national testing lab.
• Never decorate metal trees with electric lights.
• Always unplug lights before going to bed.
• Never run electrical cords through doorways or under rugs.
• Keep candles in sturdy holders and never place them near combustibles, such as curtains.
• Avoid hanging stockings near an open flame.
• Never burn paper in a fireplace. This is a major cause of chimney fires.