|
|
|
Christmas
Tree Safety
Each year fires occurring during the holiday season injure
2,600 individuals and cause over $930 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
 |
Christmas 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 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. |
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.
  
|
|
|
christmas trees
