Fire Chief William Castoro and his officers and members of the Garden City Fire Department, want to share important holiday safety tips with our residents. According to the United States Fire Administration, each year fires occurring during the holiday season claim the lives of over 400 people, injure 1,650 more, and cause over $990 million in damage. By following simple safety tips, as recommended by the United States Fire Administration, our residents can enjoy a safe and joyous holiday season. The USFA tips are as follows:
As for Christmas trees, needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The 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, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard. When caring for your tree, 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 smoke or 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. And when disposing of your tree, 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. For artificial trees, if you are using a metallic or other artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.
With regards to 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. Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Make sure to periodically check the wires – they should not be warm to the touch. And, of course, do not leave holiday lights unattended. Turn off all lights on trees and other decorations when you go to bed or leave the house.
As for holiday decorations, Use only nonflammable decorations. All decorations should be nonflammable or flameretardant and placed away from heat sources and vents. Also, never put wrapping paper in a fireplace. It can result in a very large fire, throwing off dangerous sparks and embers and may result in a chimney fire. Also, avoid using lit candles. If you do use them, 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.
Finally, as in every season, have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home, test them 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. Garden City Fire Chief William Castoro would like to extend all our residents and their families a safe and happy holiday season.
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