Holiday Fire Safety Tips from EMFD

In years past, the has responded to serious fires during the holiday.

In some cases holiday lighting or the holiday tree itself was the cause. The members of the EMFD wish to pass on the following important fire saftey message to protect our residents.

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 Chrismas Tree and Lighting Fires

• Christmas Tree Fire Hazards- 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. (Check this link for an outstanding 3 minute CBS movie segment demonstrating how fast a live Christmas tree can become fully engulfed in flames.)

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 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.

Purchasing Holiday Lights

• Only purchase lighting that carries the UL (Underwriters Laboratory) stamp of approval on the box. This illustrates that the lights have met the standard of safety for its intended use.

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. When leaving home always turn your indoor lights, particularly those on your fresh tree, off.

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 result in a very large fire, throwing off dangerous sparks and embers and may result in a chimney fire.

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 must use them, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Never have any combustible materials near or over a lit candle. 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.

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.

On behalf of Chief of Department Carl L. Pugliese, his Assistant Chiefs Nicholas Corrado, Walter Griffin, and Robert Salvesen Jr., we wish we your the safest and happiest holiday season while stressing the urgency for you not to leave fire safety to chance.