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Decorating homes and businesses is a tradition around the holiday season.
Unfortunately, these same decorations may increase your chances of a fire. Based on data from the National Fire Protection Association and the U.S. Fire Administration, an estimated 240 home fires involving Christmas trees and another 150 home fires involving holiday lights and other decorative lighting occur each year. Fires in 2010-2011 resulted in 21 deaths and $25.2 million in direct property damage.
Following a few simple fire safety tips can keep electric lights, candles and the ever-popular Christmas tree from creating a tragedy.
Learn how to prevent a fire and what to do in case a fire starts in your home. Help ensure you and your family have a fire-safe holiday season.
Christmas trees
What’s a traditional Christmas morning scene without a beautifully decorated tree? If your household includes a natural tree in its festivities, take to heart the sales person’s suggestion — “Keep the tree watered.”
A Dry Versus Watered Tree
Christmas trees account for hundreds of fires annually. Typically, shorts in electrical lights or open flames from candles, lighters or matches start tree fires. Well-watered trees are not a problem. A dry and neglected tree can be.
Selecting a Tree for the Holidays
• Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard.
• The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Bounce the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long ago and has probably dried out. This kind of tree is a fire hazard.
Caring for Your Tree
• Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heating vent.
• 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 easiest and 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
Keep This in Mind
• Use only UL, VDE or ENEC approved extension cords and appliances.
• Surge protectors are not highly recommended.
• Replace frayed cords or broken bulbs.
• When using transformers/circuits: Never overload or exceed voltage and wattage capacities.
• Know your wattages: 110 and 220 volts.
• 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!
Decorations
Holiday Decorations
• All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heating vents.
• If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame-retardant.
• Ensure trees and other holiday decorations do not block an exit way.
• In the event of a fire, time is of the essence. A blocked entry/exit way puts you and your family at risk.
Never Put Wrapping Paper in the Fireplace
Wrapping paper in the fireplace can result in a very large fire, throwing off dangerous sparks and embers that may result in a chimney fire.
For further information or assistance, call 480-6912/5940 or email jason.lewis@ramstein.af.mil.
