The holiday season has begun, which means it’s time to bring out the trees, lights and decorations from storage to fill you home with holiday cheer. However, the joy of the holidays also brings the risk of fires and injuries triggered by their improper use.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), one of every 40 reported Christmas tree fires in homes resulted in a casualty. Additionally, 32 percent of Christmas tree fires were started by electrical problems with holiday lights and decorations. To prevent the risk of fires in your home this holiday season, keep in mind these crucial tips.
With natural trees, maintenance is important. When choosing a natural tree to bring home, check for the following:
• To ensure your tree is fresh, the tree must be green and have needles that are difficult to pull from branches. To determine this, bend the branch between your fingers to make sure the needles don’t break.
• The base of the tree should be sticky with resin.
When preparing to place the tree in the home, cut off about 2 inches of the tree trunk for better water absorption. The tree must be placed on a durable, water-holding stand with wide spread feet. Check the stand daily to make sure the level of the water does not go below the base of the tree. Remember that the fresher the tree, the less of a fire hazard it will be.
When purchasing an artificial tree, look for a “Fire Resistant” label. Additionally, an Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label can identify trees that have built-in electrical systems. The UL mark means that UL engineers have tested representative samples of the product for foreseeable safety hazards such as fire and electric shock.
Any Christmas tree should be placed at least 3 feet away from any heat source, and should not block an exit.
The indoor and outdoor decorating of a home with lights and electrical decorations is popular, but it’s important to know how – and where – to place them. Holiday lights and electrical decorations are available for indoor, outdoor or multipurpose use. To identify the appropriate place to use them, look for the holographic UL mark which indicates it has been tested for safety hazards. If the holographic mark is green, it indicates the decoration or light is for indoor use only; if the holographic mark is red, it indicates the decoration or light is for indoor and outdoor use.
LED lights decorations are recommended due to their ability to use less energy and run cooler than traditional incandescent lights. Lights and decorations should always be carefully inspected for any cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Exposed or damaged wires can cause a serious shock or start a fire.
To present damage to light cords, use clips to hang them. Outdoor lights should be secured onto trees, walls or outside structures of the home. Never connect more than three sets of lights or decorations per extension as it can overheat and cause a fire.
If you have children or pets, be cautious of any decorations that are breakable or with small, detachable parts. These decorations should not be placed on the lower branches of the tree where they can be easily reached. Tinsel is another decoration to be cautious of since it is a choking hazard for children and poisonous for pets.
Remember that when leaving the home or going to bed, always turn off all decorations and lights.
Candles are popular around the holiday season due to the varying holiday fragrances available. To keep your home smelling like a gingerbread house and prevent a fire, remember that candles should never be lit near combustible items or in locations where they can be knocked over.
Additionally, burning candles should remain within sight and never leave children and pets unattended in rooms that contain lit candles.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue wishes all county residents and visitors a safe and happy holiday season filled with joy and laughter!