Officials say there are steps every household can take to help ensure that silent nights aren’t interrupted by the wail of fire sirens this holiday season.
The Christmas season is traditionally a time for family get-togethers and good cheer, but it also is a time of increased fire risk, said Nathan Hines, deputy fire marshal for the Snyder Fire Department. Holiday cooking, Christmas trees and other decorations and candle usage are common causes for home fires this month.
“As everyone gets busier during the holidays, we often get rushed, distracted or tired,” Hines said. “That’s when home fires are more likely to occur. By taking some preventative steps and following simple rules of thumb, most home fires can be prevented.”
Unattended cooking is the leading cause of house fires, so Hines recommends staying in the kitchen when frying, grilling, boiling or broiling food. Most cooking fires involve the stovetop, so keep anything that can catch fire away from it and turn off the stove when you leave the kitchen, even for a short time, he said.
Candles, which are widely used in homes during the holidays, also pose a fire risk — National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) statistics show two out of every five home decoration fires are started by candles.
Hines suggests using flameless candles, which he says look and smell like real candles. If you have to use the genuine article, however, Hines said to keep them at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn and to extinguish them when leaving the room or going to bed. Also, use candle holders that are sturdy, won’t tip over and are placed on uncluttered surfaces.
Hines recommended avoid using candles in the bedroom and never leaving a child or pet alone in a room with a burning candle.
The NFPA states that fire departments respond to an average of 210 structures fires caused by Christmas trees annually.
Thirty percent of those fires are caused by electrical problems and a quarter result from a heat source that’s too close to the tree.
Hines offered the following advice for selecting, placing and lighting the tree:
• If you have an artificial tree, ensure that it is labeled, certified or identified by the manufacturer as flame-retardant.
• If purchasing a fresh tree, make sure the needles don’t fall off when touched. Before placing in the stand, cut two inches off the base of the trunk. Add water to the stand and be sure to water the tree daily.
• Make sure that the tree is not blocking an exit and is at least three feet away from any heat source.
• Use lights that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory and make sure you know whether they are designed for indoor or outdoor use.
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.
• Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
• Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving the home or going to bed.
• After Christmas, get rid of the tree. Dried-out trees are a fire hazard.
• Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and to extend their useful life.