Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Remember these fire safety tips concerning Christmas trees, candles and decorations:
Don’t overload outlets, power strips or extension cords and never allow cords to dangle off kitchen
counters or any other surface.
Avoid using real candles as part of decorations and remember to always exercise basic safety when
using candles throughout the home. Never leave children alone in a room with a lit candle.
Never leave a lighted Christmas tree or other decorative lighting unattended. Turn lights off when
leaving the home or going to bed. Inspect lights for exposed or frayed wires, loose connections, and
broken sockets. Never overload extension cords or outlets and don’t place an electrical cord under a rug.
Understand that natural cut Christmas trees always involve some fire risk. To minimize the risk, choose
a fresh tree and keep it watered at all times. Do not put the tree within three feet of a fireplace, space
heater, radiator or heat vent.
Decorate with children in mind. Trim protruding branches at or below a child’s eye level and keep lights
out of reach. Do not put ornaments that have small parts or metal hooks, or look like food or candy, on
the lower branches where small children can reach them.
Do not burn Christmas tree branches, treated wood, or wrapping paper in a home fireplace.
Fire Marshal Bean reminds everyone to check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors along with fire
extinguishers in advance of the holidays and entertaining to make sure they are working properly. Installing
smoke alarms reduces the chance of dying in a fire by more than one-half. Also, review home fire escape plans
with all family members and particularly with overnight guests who will be staying in a home they are not
familiar with. Everyone, including guests, should know two ways out of each room in the residence.