Do not smoke while handling the propane cylinder.

Do not leave the cylinder in your vehicle.

Do not use matches or lighters to check for leaks.

Do not allow children to tamper or play with the cylinder or grill.

Do not use, store or transport your cylinder where it would be exposed to high temperatures. (This includes storing spare cylinders under or near the grill.)

With all that goes on in our lives, it's very easy to forget that you placed that pan on the stove. It's a very common mistake. You put something on the stove to cook. Then you get sidetracked. You forget about it until the fire starts and the smoke alarm goes off. If you're still home, you may have time to react. But if you've left the house and the pan is still on the stove, you may not find out about it until you return. By then, if you're lucky, your neighbors have noticed your house is on fire and called the fire department!

The following information describes the types of fires you might expect in the kitchen ... and what to do about them.

The most common type of cooking fire is the dry cooking fire. The water or moisture boils out of the pan and the food left in the pan scorches, producing smoke. This usually doesn't cause a great deal of damage. The heat may sometimes damage the surrounding area. The smoke may leave a residue and an odor. Hopefully a little cleaning up is all it takes.

The grease fire occurs when oil or grease type foods are heated and ignite. A grease fire can do significant damage. Open flames can extend to surrounding cabinets or other combustible items. If unnoticed, a grease fire can extend to a major house fire, engulfing the entire kitchen, adjacent rooms or even the attic. This becomes a dangerous life-threatening fire.

Most of the time an oven fire is not serious. The fire is usually contained in the oven, which is designed for high heat anyway. The oven fire usually suffocates or is easily extinguished.

Family gatherings, entertaining, holiday decorations -- these are but a few of the activities that make the winter holidays so special and memorable. But each of these activities brings with it an element of fire risk. Each year during the winter holiday season, fires occur, often with tragic results. According to statistics available from the National Fire Protection Association, an average of 11 deaths, 93 injuries, and $19.6 million in direct property damage occur each year from Christmas trees that catch fire.

The leading causes of Christmas tree fires and property damage are short circuiting, ground faults, or other electrical failures.

As the holiday season again draws near, following these simple but effective fire prevention tips, both at work and at home, can minimize the possibility of a fire:

Use electrical items (such as Christmas lights or other holiday decorations) that are UL listed and in good condition. At work, check with your building manager to ensure electrical circuits will not be overloaded.

Never place lights on a metallic tree or metal furniture such as a file cabinet.

Always unplug the lights before leaving home or going to sleep.

Never use candles to decorate a tree.

At home, use extreme caution when burning candles. Be sure they are placed in sturdy, non-combustible holders, and are kept well away from decorations and other combustible materials. Check candles frequently to make sure they don't burn down too far or drip hot wax. Don't leave children unattended in a room with lit candles.

Holiday decorations should be made with flame-retardant or non-combustible materials.

Make sure your holiday tree is at least 3 feet from any heat source and placed so that it doesn't block an exit.

If purchasing an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled as fire-retardant.

Should your workplace decide on a Christmas tree, check with fire or safety representatives to determine if it's permissible. If so, an artificial tree with a fire retardant/flame resistive certification by the manufacturer is recommended.

If you choose to use a natural cut trees in your work location, remember these critical points:

Make sure it is fresh.

Natural cut trees should be end-cut at an angle to help absorb water, placed in a suitable stand with adequate water. The water level should be checked daily and the tree removed upon evidence of dryness.

Natural cut trees should not be permitted in assembly occupancies unless the building is fully covered by a sprinkler system.

They should not obstruct any corridor, exit way, or other means of egress.

They should not be located near heating vents or other fixed or portable heating devices that could cause the tree to dry out prematurely or to be ignited.

Be aware that a dry tree is a serious fire hazard. If ignited, it will burn very quickly and with intense heat. Spraying or "flocking" a tree doe snot make it fire-resistive, so be careful. If your tree begins dropping needles, be sure to dispose of it safely. Dried-out trees are very dangerous.

Holiday wrappings should be removed from the immediate area and discarded in a safe manner.

As you are cleaning in preparation for your holiday decorating, take the opportunity to vacuum out the interior of your smoke detector. And don't forget to test your smoke detector monthly and make sure it has fresh batteries.

How old is your smoke detector? The National Fire Protection Association recommends that smoke detectors be replaced every 10 years.

Use care when disposing of smoking materials. Cigarette butts can smolder if not completely doused in water before disposal. The same is true of fireplace ashes, which can smolder for up to two weeks after a fire.

By considering these simple rules, you can minimize the possibility of a fire at work or at home.

When fire occurs in your home, your chances for survival are two times better when smoke detectors are present than when they are not.

Smoke detectors, when properly installed and maintained (following the manufacturer's directions), provide early warning when fires occur. Early warning increases your chances for survival and allows the fire department to save more of your property.

In support of smoke detector effectiveness, many cities and states have laws requiring the installation of smoke detectors in dwellings. Check with your local fire department or State Fire Marshal for further information.

Time is crucial. Most fatal fires occur between midnight and 8 a.m. Many fire victims die in their sleep from breathing smoke and toxic fire gases. When your smoke detector sounds, you may have 2-1/2 minutes or less to escape. Develop and Practice a Home Escape Plan.

Battery-operated models should sound an alert or beeping sound when batteries need replacing. A smoke detector with dead batteries or whose batteries have been removed is no protection at all.

Dual-power models are available which are electrically powered but contain a battery back-up should there be a power failure.

Use only those detectors bearing the label of Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM). The ceiling is the best mounting location at least six inches away from any walls. If detectors are mounted on the wall, keep them away from corners and at least 6 inches, but no more than 12 inches, from the ceiling to the bottom of the detector.

Keep your smoke detectors properly maintained. Test them at least once each month to insure that the detectors are working properly. Batteries in battery-operated detectors should be changed at least once yearly. Use only the type of batteries recommended on the detector.

If your smoke detector sounds an alarm when no smoke is present, consult with the manufacturer or with your local fire department. If smoke from cooking materials causes the detector to alarm, do not remove the batteries or disconnect the power source. Simply fan the smoke away from the detector until the alarm stops. If this happens frequently, it may be necessary to relocate the detector or to install a different type of detector.

Develop an escape plan and review the plan with all members of the family frequently. Be aware that children and elderly people may need special assistance should fire occur. Establish a meeting place outside the house for all members of the family to ensure that everyone gets out of the house. Use a neighbor's telephone to notify the fire department.

Test your smoke detector at least once a month. Push the test button or use smoke.

Clean your detector at least once a year. Dust with a vacuum cleaner.

Replace the battery each year. Use the battery type listed on the detector.

A longtime food favorite in the southern United States, the delicious deep-fried turkey has quickly grown in popularity thanks to celebrity chefs such as Martha Stewart and Emeril Lagasse. While some people rave about this tasty creation, Underwriters Laboratories Inc.'s (UL) safety experts are concerned that backyard chefs may be sacrificing safety for good taste.

"We're worried by the increasing reports of fires related with turkey fryer use," says John Drengenberg, UL consumer affairs manager. "Based on our test findings, the fryers used to produce those great-tasting birds are not worth the risks. And, as a result of these tests, UL has decided not to certify any turkey fryers with our trusted UL Mark."

Many units easily tip over, spilling the hot oil within the cooking pot.

If the cooking pot is overfilled with oil, the oil may spill out of the unit when the turkey is placed into the cooking pot. Oil may hit the burner/flames causing a fire to engulf the entire unit.

Partially frozen turkeys placed into the fryer can cause a spillover effect. This too, may result in an extensive fire.

With no thermostat controls, the units also have the potential to overheat the oil to the point of combustion.

The sides of the cooking pot, lid and pot handles get dangerously hot, posing severe burn hazards.

If you absolutely must use a turkey fryer,
here are some tips for safer use:

Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors a safe distance from buildings and any other material that can burn.

Never use turkey fryers on wooden decks or in garages.

Make sure the fryers are used on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.

Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls. If you don't watch the fryer carefully, the oil will continue to heat until it catches fire.

Never let children or pets near the fryer when in use. Even after use, never allow children or pets near the turkey fryer. The oil inside the cooking pot can remain dangerously hot, hours after use.

To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer.

Use well-insulated potholders or oven mitts when touching pot or lid handles. If possible, wear safety goggles to protect your eyes from oil splatter.

Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful with marinades. Oil and water don't mix, and water causes oil to spill over, causing a fire or even an explosion hazard.

The National Turkey Federation recommends refrigerator thawing and to allow approximately 24 hours for every five pounds of bird thawed in the refrigerator.

Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire. Remember to use your best judgment when attempting to fight a fire. If the fire is manageable, use an all-purpose fire extinguisher. If the fire increases, immediately call 9-1-1 for help.