Holidays bring additional risks around the house Published Nov. 21, 2007 By Lt. Col. Stephen Mortensen 62nd Airlift Wing chief of safety MCCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Every year we hear of personal injury statistics and home disasters during the holiday season. If not through safety channels, I am reminded each year of the loss that can devastate a family simply by watching the news. Allow me to give a few simple safety tips to help limit those misfortunes to your family this year. Have working smoke detectors. Place one near each bedroom and one on each floor for multi-level homes, test them regularly, and replace the batteries every six months. Have a family fire evacuation plan for your home and set up a meeting point so you know if everyone is safe. A new tradition for some is deep frying turkeys. If you so choose, please read and understand the directions, learn what it takes to use your fryer before you start, know what oil level you need to eliminate overflow and what oil temperature works best. Remember to let the fryer oil cool completely before moving or disposing of it after you cook. Flash fires or severe burns from the fryer oil can easily become life threatening. If you're like me, you love the natural look and smell of a real tree in the house during the holidays. Remember to give your tree water. A 6 foot tree can consume up to two quarts of water in one day. A dry brittle tree will ignite more easily than a well watered tree. Do not burn your evergreen trees and wreaths in a fire place or wood stove to dispose of them. They are likely to flare out of control, shooting flames out into your living space or through the chimney. Try to recycle if you can. There are several free local sites. If you favor imitation trees, ensure the tree you use is fire resistant to delay ignition if something goes wrong. This year take time to NOT be one of those statistics. You and your family are valued members of Team McChord.