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INCLUDE FIRE SAFETY ON YOUR HOLIDAY WISH LIST

The American Red Cross in Maine Offers Safety Tips to Prevent Holiday Home Fires

MAINE, December 8, 2011 – As the holiday season moves into full swing, The American Red Cross in Maine urges families to follow simple safety tips to keep the season merry and to prevent disasters from striking Mainers.

During the winter holiday season, the frequency and severity of home fires dramatically increase.  In fact according to the U.S. Fire Administration, each year nearly 156,000 fires occur during the holidays claiming more than 600 lives and causing more than 2,500 injuries. Many of these fires are caused by home heating sources, unattended cooking, and candles.

“Home fires are preventable, and that’s what makes this type of disaster so devastating,”  said Dave Thompson, CEO of the American Red Cross in Maine  “Fires are destructive and disruptive any time of the year, but these disasters often hit even closer to home during the holidays.” 

To prevent holiday home fires, the American Red Cross recommends keeping all potential fuel sources, including decorations and evergreens, at least three feet from heat sources such as candles, heat vents, fireplaces, wood stoves, and radiators.  In addition, holiday lights and candles must be be turned off or extinguished before leaving the room or going to bed, and especially before leaving your home.

“Last holiday season the American Red Cross in Maine responded to nearly 90 home fires and provided 140 families with immediate emergency assistance,” said Maynard Hincks, Chairman of the American Red Cross Board of Directors.  “While provided free of charge, we count on Mainers’ generosity to continue this important service.” 

In addition to following safety precautions with lights and decorations, the holidays are a great time for Maine families to make sure that their smoke alarms are functioning properly and practice their home fire escape plan.  At a minimum, smoke alarms need to be installed outside of each sleeping area and on each level of your home. Use the test button to test each smoke alarm once a month and if necessary, replace batteries immediately – and always replace batteries each year regardless of operability. 

By following these safety tips, Maine families and their visitors can have a safer, happier holiday season.

Christmas Tree Care

  • Purchase flame retardant metallic or artificial trees.
  • If you purchase a real tree, make sure that it has fresh, green needles that aren’t easily broken. Keep live trees as moist as possible by giving them plenty of water.
  • Use a sturdy tree stand designed not to tip over.
  • Keep trees at least three feet away from heat sources, including fireplaces, portable heaters, radiators, wood stoves, heat vents, and candles.
  • Make sure that any light strings or other decorations for the tree are in good condition and follow manufacturer’s instructions for their use. Do not use anything with frayed electrical cords.
  • Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree.
  • Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood burning stove.
  • Safely dispose of trees as they become dry and needles begin to drop.  Dispose of trees through recycling centers or community pick-up services. Dried-out trees should not be left in a house or garage, or placed against the house or garage.
     

Holiday Lights and Decorations

  • Always unplug tree and holiday lights before leaving home or going to bed.
  • Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear.
  • Avoid overloading electrical outlets by not linking more than three light strands.
  • Use decorations that are flame-resistant or flame-retardant.
  • Place decorations at least three feet away from fireplaces, portable heaters, radiators, wood stoves, heat vents, and candles.

Holiday Candles

  • Always extinguish candles before leaving the room or going to bed. Do not leave a room before extinguishing candles.
  • Never use lit candles to decorate a tree, and keep them at least three feet away from trees, evergreens, holiday decorations, and other items that can catch fire like clothing, papers and curtains.
  • Use candle holders that are study, won’t tip over easily, are made from a material that cannot burn, and are large enough to collect dripping wax. Remember that even glass holders can shatter and explode from the heat of a candle flame.  Place them where they cannot be reached or easily knocked over by children and pets.