Letter from the Chief-Holiday Safety Tips

When most people think about the holidays, family festivities and good cheer likely come to mind. What few of us consider is that the holidays also present an increased risk of home fires. Home fires during the holiday season often involve cooking, Christmas trees, candles and holiday decorations. According to the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 250 structure fires caused by Christmas trees each year. One of every three home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical failures, and one in six fires is caused by a heat source that is placed too close to the tree.

By taking some preventative steps and following simple rules of thumb, most home fires can be prevented during the holidays and beyond.

Christmas Trees

• If you have an artificial tree, be sure it’s labeled, certified or identified by the manufacturer as fire-retardant. If you choose a fresh tree, make sure the green needles don’t fall off when touched; before placing it in the stand, cut 1-2” from the base of the trunk. Add water to the tree stand EVERY DAY.
• Make sure your tree is not blocking an exit, and is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, space heaters, radiators, candles and heat vents or lights.
• Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory, and make sure you know whether they are designed for indoor or outdoor use. Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords, or loose bulb connections. Connect no more than three strands of mini-string sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs.
• NEVER use real candles to decorate the tree.
• Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving the home or going to bed.
• After Christmas, get rid of the tree. Dried-out trees are a fire hazard and should not be left in the home or garage, or placed next to the home.
• Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and make them last longer.

Candles

• December is the peak month for home candle fires.
• More than half of all candle fires start because the candles had been too close to things that could catch fire.
• When burning candles, keep them at least 12” away from anything that can burn, and remember to blow them out when you leave the room or go to bed.
• Avoid using candles in the bedroom, where two of five U.S. candle fires begin, or other areas where people may fall asleep.
• Never leave a child alone in a room with a burning candle.
• In case of a power outage, have flashlights readily available; do not use candles as an alternative light source.

Cooking

• Stay in the kitchen while you’re cooking. Keep anything that can catch fire away from the stove top, and turn it off when you leave the kitchen, even if it’s for a short period of time.
  
• If you’re simmering, boiling, baking or roasting food, check it regularly and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.
• Create a “kid-free zone” of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food and drinks are prepared or carried.
• Keep a lid nearby when you’re cooking to smother small grease fires. Slide the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled. For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.
• If you have a cooking fire, just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire. Call 911 immediately after you leave.