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PREVENTING HOLIDAY

TREE FIRES

Special fire safety precautions need tobe taken when keeping a live tree in

the house. A burning tree can rapidlyfill a room with fire and deadly gases.

Selecting a Tree for the HolidayNeedles on fresh trees should be greenand hard to pull back from the branch-es, and the needle should not break ifthe tree has been freshly cut. The trunkshould be sticky to the touch. Old treescan be identified by bouncing the treetrunk on the ground. If many needlesfall off, the tree has been cut too long,has probably dried out, and is a fire

hazard.Caring for Your TreeDo not place your tree close to a heatsource, including a fireplace or heatvent. The heat will dry out the tree,causing it to be more easily ignited byheat, flame or sparks. Be careful not todrop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree.Do not put your live tree up too earlyor leave it up for longer than twoweeks. Keep the tree stand filled withwater at all times.

Disposing of Your TreeNever put tree branches or needles ina fireplace or woodburning stove.When the tree becomes dry, discard itpromptly. The best way to dispose ofyour tree is by taking it to a recyclingcenter or having it hauled away by acommunity pick-up service.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS

Maintain Your Holiday LightsInspect holiday lights each year forfrayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the

insulation, broken or cracked sockets,and excessive kinking or wear beforeputting them up. Use only lighting list-ed by an approved testing laboratory.

Do Not Overload Electrical OutletsDo not link more than three lightstrands, unless the directions indicateit is safe. Connect strings of lights toan extension cord before plugging thecord into the outlet. Make sure to peri-odically check the wires they shouldnot be warm to the touch.

Do Not Leave Holiday Lights onUnattended

HOLIDAY DECORATIONS

Use Only NonflammableDecorationsAll decorations should be nonflamma-ble or flame-retardant and placed awayfrom heat vents.

Never Put Wrapping Paper in aFireplaceIt can throw off dangerous sparks and

produce a chemical buildup in thehome that could cause an explosion.

Artificial Holiday TreesIf you are using a metallic or artificialtree, make sure it is flame retardant.

CANDLE CARE

Avoid Using Lit CandlesIf you do use them, make sure they arein stable holders and place them where

they cannot be easily knocked down.Never leave the house with candlesburning.

Never Put Lit Candles on a TreeDo not go near a holiday tree with anopen flame candles, lighters ormatches.

Finally, as in every season, have work-ing smoke alarms installed on everylevel of your home, test them monthlyand keep them clean and equippedwith fresh batteries at all times. Know

when and how to call for help. Andremember to practice your homeescape plan.

For More Information Contact:

The United States Fire AdministrationOffice of Fire Management Programs16825 South Seton AvenueEmmitsburg, MD 21727

Or visit the USFA website:www.usfa.fema.gov

A Season for Sharing in Fire SafetyA Factsheet on Holiday Fire Prevention

A USFA Public-Private Partnership

STOPSFIR

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ach year fires associated with the holiday season injure 1,200 individuals and cause over

$25 million in damage.According to the United Sates Fire Administration (USFA), there are simple life-saving steps youcan take to ensure a safe and happy holiday. By following some of the outlined precautionarytips, individuals can greatly reduce their chances of becoming a holiday fire casualty.

March, 1998