• Carefully check decorative lights for worn, frayed or broken cords, as well as any loose bulb connections. Tree fires caused by short circuits in lighting are a common cause of house fires.
• Don’t overload outlets by plugging in more than three sets of lights into a single extension cord. • Unplug Christmas tree lights and extinguish all candles before leaving home or going to sleep.
• Keep lit candles a safe distance from your Christmas tree and keep other items, such as wrapping paper, curtains and anything flammable well clear of an open flame.
• If you must have a live tree, don’t buy one that has dry branches or dropping needles. When you get it home, keep it moist by watering it daily.
• Use a tree stand and candle holders that are stable and won’t tip.
• If you have an artificial tree, check for fire protection: It should be labeled fire-retardant or flame retardant.
• Keep any tree, artificial or natural, away from heat sources.
• Use non-flammable decorations.
• Keep all entries and exits to the house and to individual rooms free of clutter.
• Never dispose of used wrapping paper in your fireplace, as it can result in a large, rapidly burning fire, which could spark a chimney fire.
• When your tree begins dropping needles, it’s time to dispose of it away from the house. Because dry trees are extremely flammable, you should never leave it in your garage or leaned up against your house.
As always, you should check your smoke detectors and know your evacuation routes in the event of an emergency.
Following these fire protection tips during the holidays doesn’t have to spoil the fun. In fact, the added peace of mind will help you enjoy the season more, knowing that you’ve kept your family’s holiday safety in the forefront of your mind.
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