Have A Fire Free Christmas

The public is urged to exercise extra caution this holiday season after firefighters responded to two house fires in Belize City on Friday night, both caused by electrical hazards.

The first blaze occurred on Aloe Vera Street, where a tablet left plugged in ignited a bedroom in Diane Pelayo’s home. Quick action by Pelayo, her children, and neighbors prevented the fire from consuming the entire house, but the family’s six children were left sleeping on cardboard on a neighbor’s floor while cleanup began the next day. Hours later, firefighters responded to a second fire on Hibiscus Street, where a plugged-in fan reportedly sparked flames in Porfirio Cardona’s home. The family escaped with their lives, though they lost all possessions, and Cardona’s son was hospitalized for burns and smoke inhalation.

Fire officials continue to warn residents to take precautions as it relates to electrical items. Such items include Christmas lights and decorations.

So as you deck the halls and prepare for festive meals, fire safety should be at the top of your list. Experts warn that Christmas trees, cooking, and decorations can quickly become hazards. But with a few simple precautions, you can keep your home safe and your celebrations merry.

To prevent accidents, experts recommend using flame-resistant decorations, keeping candles away from flammable materials, and inspecting lights for damage before use. Last year, Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) advised monitoring all outlets to ensure they remain “cool to the touch”. BEL added, “Hot outlets should be checked out immediately by a licensed electrician.”

For safe cooking, keep these in mind: never leave food unattended, use timers, and keep children and pets at least three feet away from cooking areas. Always have a fire extinguisher on hand and use caution when frying food.

Using UL-certified surge protectors and LED lights is recommended to reduce risks.

Another key safety tip is to avoid overloading your electrical outlets. Plugging in too many cords can trip breakers and lead to a fire. Don’t use multi-outlet adapters with cords already in use, as each cord has a limit to how much electricity it can handle. BEL stated that “Overloading it is a bad idea and a common cause of electrical problems. It could even lead to a fire in your home.”