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Holiday Season Fire Prevention Safety Tips
Posted by Anne
Live Tree Precautions
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 Live Tree
Set your tree up in a safe area that is located away from all heat sources. Do not place the tree near a fireplace or heating vent because the heat will dry out the tree. If there are smokers in the house, do not allow them to smoke near the 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
As soon as the tree becomes dry, it needs to be disposed of promptly. If your community uses a recycling service, this is the best way to dispose of the tree. Otherwise, have the tree hauled away by your waste hauler. Never put the tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood-burning stove.
Artificial Trees
If you opt for an artificial tree, make sure that the tree has a fire-retardant label. If the tree is metal or aluminum, do not use any lights or electrical product to decorate them. Metal is a good conductor of
electricity.
Holiday Decorative Lighting
Indoor 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. Unplug all decorative lighting before you go to bed or leave the house.
Outdoor Lights
Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory and marked for outdoor use. Turn off electricity to the supply outlet before working with outdoor wiring. Run all outdoor cords above ground, keeping them out of the puddles and snow. To prevent moisture from entering bulb sockets, turn the bulbs to face the ground.
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 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, as it can throw off dangerous sparks and produce a chemical buildup in the home that could cause an explosion.
Candle Care
Avoid using lit candles. If you do use them, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they can not easily be knocked down. Never leave the house with candles burning.
Smoke Detectors
Have working smoke detectors installed on every level of your home, test them monthly, and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times.
Plan Ahead
Know when and how to call for help. Keep emergency service numbers posted on or near your telephone. Keep a UL listed multi-purpose fire extinguisher in your kitchen when preparing holiday meals – and know how to use it. Remember to practice your home escape plan so that all are familiar with it in the event of an emergency.
  
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