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Police, fire officials offer holiday safety tips

Posted on December 25, 2008 by Staff

By Susan Dickson
Staff Writer


While the holiday season is, for many, a time to come together with friends and family to celebrate, it also brings an increased risk of home break-ins and residential fires.

Both the Carrboro Fire-Rescue and Police departments have reported a fairly quiet season thus far; and to keep it that way, officials recommend that residents take a number of precautions.

As the weather gets colder, Carrboro Fire-Rescue Chief Travis Crabtree urges those using electric or kerosene heaters to be especially careful.

“All electric heaters out there … require a three-foot clearance all the way around them. That’s very difficult to get in most homes,” he said. “Make sure that you keep that distance at all times. If not, you shouldn’t use it.”

Kerosene heaters also carry a high risk, Crabtree said, because they create a carbon monoxide build-up. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, open a window near the heater about one or two inches.
“I’d rather be cold than have the alternative,” he said.

Holiday lights can also be dangerous when used improperly, Crabtree said. In order to prevent overloading the wiring or the circuit, no more than three sets of lights should be plugged into one another.

In addition, the fire department expects a number of kitchen-related calls over the next several days, as residents begin cooking large holiday meals and cooks use unfamiliar kitchens and stoves.
“Make sure to stay in the kitchen and keep the food attended at all times,” Crabtree said.

To protect homes from break-ins over the holidays, Paul Atherton, community-services officer with the Carrboro Police, recommends residents take a number of precautions, especially if they are traveling.
Residents who are leaving their homes over the holidays should ask a trusted neighbor to look in on their houses for them and bring in any packages or mail. In addition, residents should put their lights on a timer, so it looks like people are home.

“You don’t want to give the impression that it’s an empty house,” Atherton said.

Atherton also stressed that it’s not a good idea to have a big pile of presents visible through windows.
“It’s an advertisement to those who may be there for less than honest reasons,” he said.

For more holiday fire-safety tips, visit the Carrboro Fire-Rescue Department website, www.carrborofire.org

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