Holiday Fire Safety Tips

• Christmas trees: When selecting a Christmas tree, make sure the needles are green and hard to pull back from the branches. The needles should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The tree 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 ago, which means the tree is dried out, and is a fire hazard.

Do not 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. 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. Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood-burning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. 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.

• 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, such as Underwriters Laboratories. Do not overload electrical outlets. Do not connect more than three strands unless the directions indicate it is safe to do so. Connect strands 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 non-flammable decorations. All decorations should be non-flammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heat vents. Never put wrapping paper in a fireplace; it can throw off dangerous sparks and produce a chemical buildup in the home, and cause an explosion. If you are going to use an artificial tree, make sure it is flame-retardant.
  
  
• candles: If you use them, make sure they are in stable holders and placed where they cannot be easily knocked over. Never leave the house with candles burning. Never put lit candles on a tree. Do not go near a holiday tree with an open flame, such as lit candles, lighters or matches.
  
  
• Finally, as in every season, have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home. Test the detectors monthly, and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times. Know when and how to call for help. And remember to practice your home escape plan.