| Holidays are times that we all enjoy spending with family and friends. During this time, many of us decorate our homes and places of work to further cherish the holiday feeling with trees, signs, lights, and candles. Please keep these important safety tips in mind to prevent any unfortunate accidents from happening this holiday season. However should a fire break out, leave the premises immediately and call 911 from a neighbor's house or another safe location.
GENERAL SAFETY TIPS:
-Keep a fire extinguisher handy in your home and have functional smoke detectors installed.
-Check all of your smoke alarms regularly.
-Use flame-retardant or flame-resistant decorating materials.
-Never use natural vegetation indoors that is not set in water or soils.
-Watch for overloading of electrical circuits. Use listed power distribution blocks or strips with automatic circuit protection when overloaded or overheated.
CANDLES:
-Whether for tradition or decoration, candles need special care when used.
-Keep candles away from items that can catch fire. Do not place candles on or near any decorative vegetation or trees.
-Always use candles in holders that are sturdy and adequately collect dripping wax.
-Extinguish all candles when leaving the room or going to sleep.
-Keep candles and all open flames away from flammable liquids.
LIGHTS:
-Make sure cords and wiring are intact. Discard frayed or damaged cords immediately.
-Try to use Christmas lights that have fuses in the plugs.
-Use extension cords properly. Do not overload extension cords.
-All outdoor electrical decorations should be plugged into a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). Portable units for outdoor use are available, or you can have them permanently installed by an electrician.
TREES:
-The location of the tree should not be in the way of doors, windows, or in paths used for exiting.
-Trees should be a distance, at least equal to the height of the tree, away from open flames and sources of ignition. This includes heaters, fireplaces, and wood stoves.
-Buildings such as theaters, schools, hotel/motels, restaurants, covered malls, assisted living homes and retail stores have restrictions on when natural cut trees can be placed inside them. See the Fire Code of New York State Section 804 for prohibited locations and conditions for the display of natural cut trees in these locations. Natural cut trees shall never be placed in day care centers, nursing homes, hospitals, or assisted-living facilities.
-Proper placement of the tree in water and on-going maintenance will make the tree safe and last throughout the holiday season. Ensure that the tree stem is covered by at least 2 inches of water at all times and check the level daily. |
