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Holiday
Decorations Safety
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Each year fires occurring during the holiday
season injure 2,600 individuals and cause over
$930 million in damage. According to the United
Sates Fire Administration (USFA), there are simple
life-saving steps you can take to ensure a safe
and happy holiday. By following some of the
outlined precautionary tips, individuals can
greatly reduce their chances of becoming a holiday
fire casualty.
Preventing Holiday Tree Fires
- Holiday Tree
Fire Hazards -
Movie segments demonstrating how fast a live
Christmas tree can become fully engulfed in
flames. Special fire safety precautions need
to be taken when keeping a live tree in the
house. A burning tree can rapidly fill a room
with fire and deadly gases.
- Selecting a Tree for the Holiday
Needles on fresh trees should be green and
hard to pull back from the branches, and the
needle should not break if the tree has been
freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the
touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing
the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles
fall off, the tree has been cut too long, has
probably dried out, and is a fire hazard.
- Caring for Your Tree
Do not place your tree close to a heat source,
including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat
will dry out the tree, causing it to be more
easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks. Be
careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes
near a tree. Do not put your live tree up too
early or leave it up for longer than two
weeks. Keep the tree stand filled with water
at all times.
- Disposing of Your Tree
Never put tree branches or needles in a
fireplace or wood burning stove. When the tree
becomes dry, discard it promptly. The best way
to dispose of your tree is by taking it to a
recycling center or having it hauled away by a
community pick-up service.
Holiday Lights
- Maintain Your Holiday Lights
Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed
wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation,
broken or cracked sockets, and excessive
kinking or wear before putting them up. Use
only lighting listed by an approved testing
laboratory.
- Do Not Overload Electrical Outlets
Do not link more than three light strands,
unless the directions indicate it is safe.
Connect strings of lights to an extension cord
before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make
sure to periodically check the wires - they
should not be warm to the touch.
- Do Not Leave Holiday Lights on
Unattended
Holiday Decorations
- Use Only Nonflammable Decorations
All decorations should be nonflammable or
flame-retardant and placed away from heat
vents.
- Never Put Wrapping Paper in a
Fireplace
It can throw off dangerous sparks and produce
a chemical buildup in the home that could
cause an explosion.
- Artificial Holiday Trees
If you are using a metallic or artificial
tree, make sure it is flame retardant.
Candle Care
- Avoid Using Lit Candles
If you do use them, make sure they are in
stable holders and place them where they
cannot be easily knocked down. Never leave the
house with candles burning.
- Never Put Lit Candles on a Tree
Do not go near a holiday tree with an open
flame - candles, lighters or matches.
Finally, as in every season, have working smoke
alarms installed on every level of your home, test
them monthly and keep them clean and equipped with
fresh batteries at all times. Know when and how to
call for help. And remember to practice your home
escape plan. |
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