As the holiday season approaches, the Clark County Fire Department and UMC Hospital would like to remind everyone that safety is the top priority. Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and injuries in the United States. However, other holiday hazards, such as faulty decorations, lights and Christmas trees, can also pose significant fire hazards if not handled with care.

“Fires during the holiday season can be devastating, often caused by simple mistakes,” said Clark County Fire Department Deputy Chief Billy Samuels. “By following a few key safety tips, you can significantly reduce your risk of a fire, protect your loved ones and ensure a safe and happy holiday season.”

“As Nevada’s only verified Burn Center, we see patients each year over the holiday season with different types of cooking-related burns. It is important to take the proper safety precautions in the kitchen to protect yourself and your family. If you do suffer a burn, or any other type of injury, our team at UMC is here to provide you with Nevada’s highest level of care,” said Dr. Rabia Nizamani, Interim Medical Director of the UMC Lions Burn Care Center.

Thanksgiving is the leading day of the year for cooking-related fires, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve. Statistics from the UMC’s Lions Burn Care Center reveal that during the period of Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve 2023, fifteen patients required hospitalization due to burns sustained in kitchen mishaps. Additionally, fifteen patients sought medical attention for their injuries and were successfully treated before being released.

The following safety tips are recommended to prevent home fires:

When cooking:

• Be on alert! If you are sleepy, consumed alcohol, or taking medication that makes you drowsy, you should not be cooking.
• Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, grilling, boiling, or broiling food.
• Never leave cooking food unattended.
• If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly. Remain in the home while cooking and use a timer to remind you that you are cooking.
• Keep anything that can catch fire — oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, or curtains -- away from your stovetop.
• Do not wear loose fitting clothing while cooking as they can catch fire.
• Adult supervision of children is always needed in kitchens and all cooking areas. Secure cords, knives, and equipment out of easy reach from a child, and remove any tripping hazards. Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children – up high in a locked cabinet.
• Never use a turkey fryer indoors, in a garage, or under an awning. Make sure it is on a flat level surface and away from structures, tree branches or bushes.
• Deep frying is the cooking method that poses the highest risk of fire, and for that reason, the Clark County Fire Department is encouraging all to take specific precautions before frying up a turkey. The large amount of oil and high cooking temperatures can turn cooking into a frightening and devastating experience. A Clark County TV PSA created in partnership with the Fire Department demonstrates the consequences of deep frying a turkey the wrong way. The video is on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BX5s249o6Q8

If you have a cooking fire:

• Do not use a fire extinguisher on a grease fire as this could spread the fire by spraying it around the kitchen.
• Always cook with a lid beside your pan. If you have a fire, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Do not remove the cover because the fire could start again. Let the pan cool for a long time. Never throw water on the fire.
• Do not use a fire extinguisher on a grease fire as this could spread the fire by spraying it around the kitchen.
• For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
• Don’t take risks with a fire. When in doubt, get out of the home and call 911.

After cooking:

• Let the cooking oil cool completely.
• Don’t pour it down the drain because it clogs pipes. Instead, put it in a can or jar and toss it in the trash. The Clark County Water Reclamation District's Pain in the Drain campaign offers tips for safe cooking and the proper disposal of cooking oil. The video is on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugizlqS0Gfg
• Cooking oil and grease should never be poured down a drain because it clogs sinks and pipes. More information about the Water Reclamation District’s Pain in the Drain campaign is available at cleanwaterteam.com

Christmas Tree Safety:

• Artificial trees: opt for flame-resistant trees.
• Real trees: Keep your tree well-watered to prevent drying out.
• Place the tree at least three feet away from heat sources such as fireplaces and heat vents.

Lighting Safety:

• Check each strand of lights for worn or broken cords, loose bulbs and damaged wires.
• Avoid overloading circuits. Overloading outlets or extension cords can cause them to overheat.
• Use power strips with built-in surge protection and plug only the recommended number of light strands into an outlet.
• Always turn off holiday lights before going to bed or leaving the house to prevent overheating and reduce the risk of fire.

Test Smoke Alarms:

• Test your smoke detectors monthly and replace batteries as needed.

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Clark County is a dynamic and innovative organization dedicated to providing top-quality service with integrity, respect, accountability, leadership, and excellence. With jurisdiction over the world-famous Las Vegas Strip and covering an area the size of New Jersey, Clark is the nation’s 11th-largest county and provides extensive regional services to 2.3 million citizens and 41 million visitors a year (2022). Included are the nation’s 8th-busiest airport, air quality compliance, social services and the state’s largest public hospital, University Medical Center. The County also provides municipal services that are traditionally provided by cities to 1 million residents in the unincorporated area. Those include fire protection, roads and other public works, parks and recreation, and planning and development.