Madison Fire and Rescue Department’s tips for holiday safety
MADISON – The holidays involve extra cooking, bright decorations and gatherings of relatives and friends. Madison Fire and Rescue Department urges individuals to exercise caution with common-sense practices to avoid injury or destruction from fire.
The City of Madison and firefighters are reminding residents about safety measures for the season. Several holiday safety tips can help:
• One predominant fact: smoke detectors save lives. – Residents should test their smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and change the battery, if necessary. Never disable a smoke alarm while cooking.
• Switch off appliances. – Double- check to confirm that you do not leave appliances running after you have used them.
• Monitor children around hot food. – Make sure that children stay away from hot food and liquids. The steam or ‘splash’ from cooked vegetables, gravy or coffee could cause serious burns.
• Keep items away from the stove. – Avoid placing any flammable materials, especially cooking aids like potholders and paper towels, on or near the stovetop.
• Cook with safety in mind. – Never cook when you are sleepy, drinking alcoholic beverages or taking medication that makes you drowsy.
Did you know Madison Fire and Rescue Department will supply and install free smoke detectors in homes of city residents? The goal is to have working smoke detectors in every household.
Residents interested in this program must complete a simple application. To access the application, visit madisonal. gov. At the top of the screen, click “Government,” and then click “City Departments” and “Fire.” In the next window, click “Smoke Alarm Installation Application” in the list to the left.
In the next window, click “linked form” in the text description. On the Smoke Alarm Installation Application, fill out the contact information, which includes your street address, type of dwelling, number of levels (or stories) and number and age of residents.
The resident can take the completed form to Fire Station 1 at 101 Mill Road or email a copy to Dan.Pickens@madisonal. gov.
For more information, visit madisonal.gov.