Practice fire safety during holidays

DEAR READERS: During the holidays, our homes are filled decorations, candles and greenery. Even during the pandemic we will be gathering in smaller groups and trying to enjoy a normally festive time. So still pay attention to fire safety. Take these steps to protect your family.

■ Set up a fire emergency plan so family members know what to do.

■ Never leave candles burning unattended in any room in your home.

■ Don’t put candles in greenery arrangements or on the tree, because they can easily catch fire.

■ Don’t arrange candles in areas with traffic flow or where they might be tipped over, such as on a low coffee table.

■ Never burn wrapping paper or evergreens in the fireplace, because they could ignite quickly and burn furiously.

■ Check the fire in the fireplace to be sure it’s completely out before you go to bed.

■ Never leave food coking or baking in the kitchen without checking or watching it.

DEAR READERS: We know that children live on their computers and smartphones, so during the holidays and at gatherings in your home, put them to work at your family events. Have them take pictures with their phones at the table and during gatherings. Then they can email the pics to family members or print them out and give them as a gift. Or they can post photos on family Facebook pages. They can also use their phones to create a music playlist for the parties.

DEAR READERS: When you are bringing cooked food to a holiday gathering and you need to keep it hot, use a cooler or ice chest. Put a heavy towel in the bottom and cover the top with another towel. The food could stay warm this way for up to an hour. But food safety experts stress that food should not be standing for more than two hours from the time of making it to eating it. They also recommend that it remain at 185 degrees F.

DEAR READERS: During the holidays, your kids may realize that they have outgrown some toys or dolls. Have them make a pile of the ones they don’t want anymore. Here’s what you can do with them.

Have your kids sort the unwanted toys and put them into boxes. Then let them choose a local shelter or charity where they can donate all the items for needy children who don’t have many toys. When you and your children deliver them before Christmas, it will cheer up these less fortunate children.