Prevent House Fires This Holiday Season

The long-standing tradition of decorating homes and businesses during the holidays may unfortunately increase the chance of a fire, according to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA).

According to data from USFA and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), an estimated 250 home fires involving Christmas trees and another 170 home fires involving holiday lights and other decorative lighting occur each year. Together, these fires resulted in 21 deaths and 43 injuries.

Prevent the ever popular Christmas tree, electric lights and candles from creating a tragedy by following a few fire safety tips from the USFA. Also, learn how to prevent a fire and what to do in case a fire starts in your home. Ensure that all exits are accessible and are not blocked by decorations or trees. You should also make sure that you have a fire safe holiday season.

Christmas Trees
If you pick out and put up a natural Christmas tree in your home during the holidays, make sure you keep it watered. According to the USFA, Christmas trees account for hundreds of fires annually. Typically, shorts in electrical lights or open flames from candles, lighters or matches start tree fires. Well-watered trees are not a problem, but a dry and neglected tree can be.

Selecting a Tree
The needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needles should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk of the tree should be sticky to the touch. You can tell a tree is old by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long and, has probably dried out, making it a fire hazard.

Taking Care of Your Tree
Make sure you don't place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks. Also, be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a 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 Your Tree
The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away by a community pick-up service. Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood-burning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly.

Holiday Lights
Do not leave your holiday lights on unattended.

Maintain Your Holiday 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.

Don't Overload Electrical Outlets
You should not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate that 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.

Holiday Decorations
Use Only Nonflammable Decorations
All of your holiday decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heat vents. If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.

Don't Block Exits
Make sure that trees and other holiday decorations do not block exits in your home. In the event of a fire, time is of the essence. A blocked entry/exit way puts you and your family at risk.

Never Put Wrapping Paper in the Fireplace
Placing wrapping paper in the fireplace can result in a very large fire, throwing off dangerous sparks and embers that may result in a chimney fire.

Candle Care
Avoid Using Lit Candles
If you do choose to use lit candles, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Never leave the house with candles burning.

Never Put Lit Candles on a Tree
Do not go near a Christmas tree with an open flame – candles, lighters or matches.