FIRE SAFETY TIPS ON THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

12/23/2019 (Permalink)

FIRE SAFETY TIPS ON THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Every year, emergency rooms treat thousands of injured people, due to cuts, burns and shocks related
to holiday lights, decorations, fireplaces and Christmas trees.
Seasonal decor can often be hazardous if not properly put up with care — or if it's placed next to a
potentially dangerous item.
Keep your family safe this holiday season by following these safety tips.
Lights
1. Inspect lights first. Before plugging in a strand of lights, examine the cord for damage. Throw away
any frayed, kinked or worn light strands.
2. Never overload a circuit. A typical household circuit can power 70 strings of 50-bulb mini lights, or 300
to 600 strings of 50-bulb LED lights.
3. Turn off all lights and decorations before leaving the house or going to bed. To avoid braving the cold
every night, install a timer to automatically turn on the lights at dusk and turn them back off at dawn.
4. Use a GFCI. A ground-fault circuit interrupter is a special type of wall outlet installed in areas where
water and electricity could potentially mix, causing a dangerous reaction.
Candle
Candles may provide a festive ambiance and delightful fragrance, but they’re also responsible for
starting two out of every five home decoration structure fires each year.
1. Get flame without the fire. Consider replacing traditional candles with flameless, battery-operated
types, but don't;t forget to turn them off when leaving the house as LED lights do get hot.
2. Don't leave the room. Never leave a candle burning unattended and, if you're going to be stepping
away from the candle for several minutes, it's safer to blow it out rather than risk a potential hazard.
3. Use caution when decorating with candles. Always use a sturdy candle holder to keep it from tipping
over or touching flammable surfaces.
Trees
1. When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces and radiators. Because heated rooms
dry live trees out rapidly, be sure to keep the stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of
foot traffic and do not block doorways.
2. When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant. “Although this label does not
mean the tree won't catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.
Fireplace
Keep the fireplace clear and free of debris. Clean the ashes from the fireplace after each fire. To reduce
the amount of flammable material collecting in the chimney, burn only CSIA-accepted manufactured
logs or firewood that’s been seasoned a year or more.