We all love the smell of a fresh cut Christmas tree, the warm glow of the sparkling lights and the memories made with family and friends. This holiday season taking a few precautions can ensure that the memories made are ones you will cherish forever.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) almost one third of home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems.
-Use lights that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory. Ensure the lights you use are properly rated for indoor vs outdoor use.
-Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.
-NEVER use lit candles to decorate a tree.
-Always turn off Christmas lights before leaving the home or going to sleep.
Based on data from a recent study, “when Christmas trees were the first item ignited in home structure fires, one out of every 32 reported fire events resulted in a death, compared to an average of one death per 143 total reported home fires.”
-Natural trees should be cut 2-4″ from the base at a slight angle and placed in water.
-check your tree daily to ensure there is plenty of fresh water to keep the tree hydrated.
-Place the tree a minimum of 3 feet away from any heat source.
-When the tree becomes dry discard it promptly.
-Make sure that the tree does not block an exit.
According to the NFPA, the death rate per 1,000 home structure fires is approximately 60 percent lower in homes with working smoke alarms than in homes with no alarms or none that operated.
-Make sure there are working smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside every bedroom and on every level of the house (including the basement).
-Check Smoke alarms once a month to ensure they are in proper working order. replace bad batteries or replace the entire unit if it is beyond its use date (10 years).
-Practice a fire escape plan with your family regularly to ensure everyone knows how to get out safely in an emergency.
SVFD wishes you and your family a safe and happy holiday season.
This Spokane Valley Fire Department news article "Holiday Safety- Decorating for Christmas memories" was originally found on https://www.spokanevalleyfire.com/media-releases/
