Candles may be pretty to look at but they are a cause of home fires. Consider using flameless candles in your home. They look and smell like real candles, without an open flame.

Cooking brings family and friends together; but cooking fires are the number one cause of home fires and injuries. Be alert. Stay in the kitchen while frying, grilling or broiling food. Stay in the home when simmering, baking, roasting or boiling food. Check it regularly and set timers to remind yourself.

Electricity makes our lives easier; however, we must be cautious and keep safety in mind. Call a qualified electrician for the following: frequent problems with fuses or breakers; tingling feeling when you touch an appliance; discolored or warm wall outlets; sparks from an outlet; a burning or rubbery smell coming from an appliance; or flickering /dimming lights.

Do you know what to do if a fire breaks out in your home? Make an escape plan. Aim for at least two ways out of every room; have an outside meeting place away from the house; practice your plan twice each year; close doors behind you as you leave.

Half of home heating fires are reported during December, January and February. Prevent a heating fire by keeping anything that can burn at least three-feet away from heating source; have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected every year; NEVER use the oven to heat your home.

While the convenience of the microwave oven is something we take for granted, safety should not be. Open food slowly and away from face. Use only microwave-safe food containers and dishes. If you have a fire in the microwave, leave the door closed, turn the oven off and unplug it from the wall. If the fire does not go out, get outside and call the fire department.

When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast. Working smoke detectors give early warning and are a key part to a home fire escape plan. Install smoke alarms on every house level and especially inside and outside every bedroom and sleeping area. It is best to use interconnected smoke alarms. Test smoke alarms once per month.

Scald burns are the second leading cause of all burn injuries. Prepackaged microwavable soups frequently cause burn injuries because they easily tip. When choosing prepackaged soups, choose containers with a wide base, or pour soup into a traditional bowl after heating. Treat burns right away by running burns under cool water for 3-5 minutes, cover with a clean, dry cloth and get medical help if needed.