December 9, 2015
Lights, decorations, and Christmas trees dress the holiday season and adorn our memories of “the most wonderful time of the year”.
Unfortunately, those same components that add color to the season make this time of year extremely dangerous, and deadly, when it comes to home fires.
According to the National Fire Protection Association:
- Although live Christmas tree fires are not common, they are high-risk for injury. 1 of every 31 reported Christmas tree fires resulted in death compared to an average of 1 death per 144 total reported home structure fires.
- A heat source too close to the Christmas tree causes 1 in every 4 of tree fires.
- 2 of 5 home decoration fires are started by candles.
- More than half (56 percent) of home candle fires occur when something that can catch on fire is too close to the candle.
- December is the peak time of year for home candle fires.
Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Derrick J. V. Sawyer addressed holiday home fires yesterday at the Fire Administration Building and spoke of a need for awareness and prevention.
“As everyone gets busier during the holidays, we often become rushed, distracted, tired or complacent,” said Sawyer, “that’s when home fires are more likely to occur.”
Fortunately, with a little added awareness and some minor adjustments to holiday cooking and decorating, the season can remain festive and safe for everybody. “By taking some preventive steps and following simple rules of thumb, most home fires can be prevented,” stated Commissioner Sawyer.
What can you do at home to prevent a holiday tragedy? Become informed and take precaution.
The United States Fire Administration suggests:
- Connecting no more than 3 stands of mini-light sets.
- Connect no more than 50 bulbs for screw-in light sets.
- Make sure your tree is at least 3 feet away from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, candles or heat vents.
- Keep candles 12 inches away from anything that burns.
- Get rid of your Christmas tree immediately after Christmas or when it is dry. It should not be left in the home or garage, or placed outside the home.
Fire Commissioner Sawyer offered advice for picking, placing, and lighting your tree:
- If you have an artificial tree, be sure it’s labeled, certified or identified by the manufacturer as fire-retardant.
- If you choose a fresh tree, make sure the green needles don’t fall off when touched; before placing it in the stand, cut 2” from the base of the trunk. Add water to the tree stand, and be sure to water it daily.
- Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit, and is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, space heaters, radiators, candles and heat vents or lights.
- Use lights that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory, and make sure you know whether they are designed for indoor or outdoor use.
- Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords, or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect.
- Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
- Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving the home or going to bed.
- Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and make them last longer.
- Residents should set their trees out with rubbish on their scheduled collection day.
- Citizens who wish to drop off their tree for recycling may visit www.philadelphiastreets.com for detailed information regarding drop off time, dates and locations.
Watch this short video to learn how you can prevent fires in your home this holiday season.
See what happens when fire touches a dry tree & a well-watered tree.
Visit Philadelphia Fire’s prevention website for more information and safety tips.
An easy, simple, yet essential way to be prepared is to stay informed. Get emergency alerts from OEM’s ReadyPhiladelphia program sent to your phone or email to keep you informed prior to and during an emergency. Also, look for PhilaOEM on Twitter and Facebook.