It's holiday season again and home décor is going out and making the holidays spirited. Wescott Fire Department wants to remind you about the dangers of some of the décor you may choose to decorate your home with. Please use these tips to help keep your family and home safe this holiday season.
CANDLES:
Whenever possible use flameless candles.
Never leave candles unattended for any reason.
Keep candles out of reach of children.
Put matches and lighters used to light candles away and out of reach and sight of children.
Make sure that candles are placed on/in a non-flammable surface.
Purchase drip free candles.
Never place candles on a Christmas tree.
Keep candles away from hanging/dangling objects such as curtains or ribbon. Also, do not place candles in open windows.
LIGHTS:
Make sure that all light strands are working correctly. Replace broken bulbs or burnt out fuses.
Never use lights with fraying wires.
Only use one length of extension cord. Never place cords under rugs.
Do not overload outlets with cords. If needed, use a power strip.
When hanging lights outdoors, make sure the light strand/power cord is rated for outdoor use.
Make sure ladders are properly footed and not on ice.
Use the buddy system. Never hang lights outdoors by yourself.
Use caution walking on roofs. Do not walk on roofs with a steep pitch or ice.
CHRISTMAS TREES:
According to the National Safety Council over 400 residential structure fires are caused from Christmas trees every year, resulting in 100 injuries and 40 civilian deaths. Please watch the attached video. Note that the tree is fully involved with fire only 5 seconds after ignition. The entire room is consumed by fire within 45 seconds.
Artificial:
Only use trees that are marked as fire resistant.
Make sure tree stand is sturdy and tree does not tip.
Trees with built-in electrical systems should have the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) label.
Never place candles on tree.
Real Trees:
Place tree in a STURDY tree stand.
Keep stand filled with water, keeping your tree as moist as possible. Check level often.
Try to select a fresh tree by looking for one that is green.
The needles of Pines and Spruces should bend and not break and should be hard to pull off the branches. If shopping for a Fir species, the needles pulled from a fresh tree will snap when bent. Also, look for a trunk sticky with sap.
Never place candles on tree.
Remember, Colorado is extremely dry this year. It might be in your best interest to invest in an artificial tree.
In General:
Keep trees away from fire places, heater vents, radiators or other heat sources.
Do not place trees in door ways.
Turn tree lights off when leaving your home or going to bed.
Keep presents away from electrical sockets and power cords.
Keep ornaments that are breakable or with small detachable parts towards the top of the tree, so that children or pets do not choke on them.
Keep an extinguisher near by.
FIRE PLACES:
Keep fireplace free of extra ashes and debris.
Always use a non-flammable container for old ashes/debris. Do not place on a flammable surface or indoors.
Have your chimney and flue cleaned and checked annually.
Place a screen in front of your fireplace.
Keep front of fire place free of flammable decorations including stockings.
Never use gasoline to start a fire.
Make sure fire is completely out before leaving your home or going to bed.
Never burn wrapping paper, ribbons, bows or other types of decorations your fire place.