Holiday Season Safety Tips

Posted by Geri Vemtura -

Each year fires occurring during the holiday season claim the lives of over 400 people, injure 1,650 more, and cause over $990 million in damage. According to the United States 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 Christmas Tree Fires

• 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. We recommend that the tree be treated with a fire retardant solutions


• 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 woodburning 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.


• Artificial Christmas 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 Christmas tree with an open flame - candles, lighters or matches.

Fire Place Safety

• Keep the fireplace in good condition by repairing cracks in the flue lining, bricks and mortar.


• Keep the flue clear of soot, creosote and obstructions. Have the fireplace and chimney inspected by a professional at least once a year to check for creosote buildup.
  Have it cleaned if it is determined necessary.


• Equip the house with fire-warning devices. Install a type ABC fire extinguisher near the fireplace.


• Install a screen that completely covers the fireplace opening to keep sparks from flying out.


• Keep combustible materials such as carpets, furniture, paper, logs and kindling at least 3 feet away from the fireplace. Arrange andirons so logs can't roll out.


• Use only enough fuel to keep the fire at the desired temperature.
  Avoid "roaring" fires. They can start chimney fires from soot and creosote deposits in the flue.


• Do not use gasoline or other flammable liquids to kindle or rekindle a fire because the flammable vapors can explode.


• Never use fuels near a fire; explosive vapors can travel the length of a room.


• Keep the damper open while the fuel is burning to provide for efficient burning and to prevent accumulation of poisonous or explosive gases.


• Never burn Christmas tree greens.
  They cause many sparks when burning and can cause a chimney fire.


• Remove colored comic sections before rolling newspapers into logs.
  The colored inks contain lead and can produce toxic gases.


• Do not use coal, charcoal or polystyrene packaging in a fireplace unless the fireplace is designed to handle the excess heat and smoke which occurs when burning these materials.


• Do not treat artificial logs (made from sawdust and wax) the same way you treat real wood logs.
  Use only one at a time. If you use more, they can produce too much heat for some fireplaces to withstand.


• Keep children away from the fire because their clothing can easily ignite.
  Warn the entire family about this hazard.


• Be sure that all ashes have thoroughly cooled before you dispose of them.


• Put ashes in a lidded metal container to prevent a possible fire and provide a sturdy place to store them. Ashes make good fertilizer in gardens, flowerbeds, etc.

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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