Fire Safety During the Holidays

According to the United States Fire Administration (USFA), each year fires during the holiday season claim the lives of over 400 people, injure 1,650 others and cause more than $990 million in damage.  It can take only a few seconds for a fire to fully engulf a room.  To avoid a disaster this holiday season, Legislator Lou D’Amaro (D-Huntington Station) and Suffolk County Commissioner of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services Joe Williams offer the following safety tips:

Placing the Christmas tree:

• Before placing the tree in the stand, cut one to two inches from the base of the trunk.  Water your tree at least once a day and keep it from blocking halls, stairs and exits.  Keep the tree away at least three feet away from baseboards, fireplaces and other heat sources.  Artificial trees and should be checked to make sure they are certified and identified by the manufacturer as fire resistant or retardant.

Lighting the tree:

• Use only non-combustible decorations.  Check and replace worn or damaged light sets or wires and use only U.L. or F.M. approved lights.  Do not run wiring for trees or other indoor displays under rugs and carpets and NEVER use candles on or near a tree.  Disconnect lights at bedtime or while away from the house, make sure smoke detectors are in place and operating properly and have a family escape plan ready in the event of an emergency.
• 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.

Safety around candles including Chanukah and Kwanza menorahs:

• Never leave a lit candle unattended. According to the National Fire Protection Association, almost 40 percent of all fires occurred after candles were left unsupervised or inadequately controlled. Do not place candles where a family pet could knock them over. Always extinguish all candles before going to bed; last year, 13 percent of candle-related fires started after the user fell asleep.