The holiday season can be a time of fun and festivities. Many gatherings are taking place among family and friends. The more people present increases the risk for fire or other injury. Consider these safety tips:

• Test your smoke alarms and tell guests about your home fire escape plan.
• Keep children and pets away from lit candles.
• Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet.
• Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stove.
• Ask smokers to smoke outside. Remind smokers to keep their smoking materials with them so young children do not touch them.
• Provide large, deep ashtrays for smokers. Wet cigarette butts with water before emptying ashtrays. Never allow smokers to use makeshift ashtrays.
• Before going to bed, check upholstered furniture for discarded cigarettes or other combustible items. Check all candles to make sure they have been extinguished. All light strands and decorations should be turned off as well.