Each year fires occurring during the holiday season claim
the lives of over 400 Americans, injure 1,650 more, and
cause over $990 million in damage.[1] Here are some simple
life saving steps you can take to ensure a safe and happy
holiday season.
!! Steps !!
Prevent Christmas tree fires. 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.
* Select 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.
* Ask the tree seller to cut off 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5cm) off the
end; this will improve the tree's ability to take up water,
keeping it greener for longer.
* Caring for Your Tree. Do not place your tree close to a heat
source, including a fireplace or heat vent; it should be at least
3 feet (approximately 1 metre) from any heat source. 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.
If you're using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is
flame retardant.
Take care with holiday lights. All electrical lights should be
treated with care to avoid the potential for fire or electric
shocks. If you can, upgrade to LED (light-emitting diode) lights;
these are safer because they don't generate heat.
* 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.
* Don't run cords under rugs; this is a fire hazard.
* Do not overload electrical outlets. Do not link more than three
light strands per outlset, unless the directions indicate it is
safe to do so. 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.
* Use heavy gauge extension cords; they are much harder to fray and
they remain cool.
* Tape down cords that are in traffic areas and could easily be
tripped over. Blue masking tape will keep the cords firmly in
place against the floor and prevent tripping, without damaging
paint.
Be alert to the hazards holiday decorations can cause. Holiday
decorations can become fire hazards or choking hazards if not
placed thoughtfully. Here are some things to be aware of:
Use only non-flammable decorations - all decorations should be
nonflammable or flame-retardant. Place decorations 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.
* Keep small and breakable decorations out of the reach of babies,
toddlers, cats, dogs, and any other pets. Ornaments can easily be
swallowed and turn into choking hazards when curious hands and
paws get hold of them. In addition, take care when hanging tinsel,
stringed decorations, etc., to avoid tripping or strangulation
hazards.
* Do not put ornaments that have small parts or metal hooks, or look
like food or candy, on the lower branches where small children can
reach them.
Be candle wise. While candles are a long-loved tradition for some
families at Christmas, they can also be a major fire hazard if
left unattended or near flammable items.
Avoid using lit candles if possible. 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; if you think you're going to be distracted, consider
blowing them out when you leave the room, or not using them at
all.
* Never put lit candles on a tree. Do not go near a Christmas tree
with an open flame - candles, lighters or matches.
!! Video !!
!! Tips !!
* Trim protruding branches at or below a child's eye level, and
keep lights out of reach.
* Color additives used in fireplace fires are a toxic product and
should be stored out of reach. Artificial snow can be harmful if
inhaled, so use it in a well-vented space.
* Make sure you 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.
!! Warnings !!
* Keep alcohol (including baking extracts) out of reach and do not
leave alcoholic drinks unattended.
* Mistletoe berries, holly berry and Jerusalem cherry can be
poisonous. If they are used in decorating, make sure children and
pets cannot reach it.
* Beware of the fire dangers of a tree: Most importantly keep your
tree wet rather than dry. When a flame touches a dry tree within
three seconds of ignition, a dry tree can be completely ablaze. It
is possible that the burning tree sparks the entire room to erupt
into flames where oxygen is depleted and dense, deadly toxic smoke
engulfs the scene.[2]
* Turn off the lights when no one is around to watch the tree.
* Don't have a power strip sitting under the tree; it can overheat
and catch on fire, or water from the tree could spill into it and
spark.
!! Related WikiHows !!
How to Buy a Christmas Tree from a Tree Farm
How to Care for a Christmas Tree
How to Dispose of a Christmas Tree
How to Create a Festive Holiday Wreath
How to Get Ready for Christmas
!! Sources & Citations !!
* United States Fire Administration,
http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/index.shtm
* Federal Emergency Management Agency, http://www.fema.gov/
* Building and Fire Research Laboratory, http://fire.nist.gov/
!! Article Tools !!
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