Guest Column — Hot Topics

It's the most wonderful time of the year — don’t let a fire ruin it!

Posted

A fire can ruin what should be a happy time of celebration during the holidays. As we fill our homes with holiday cheer and decorations, it’s important to use caution in the process, especially with candles, lights and Christmas trees. This limits the risk of dangerous and deadly fires.

Candles play an important role in many of our winter holidays, and December is the peak time of year for candle fires — 11 percent of home fires originate from candles, compared to 4 percent during the rest of the year, according to the National Fire Protection Association. The organization says that more than half of these candle fires occur when something — notably trees, drapes or decorations — ignite when they are too close to a candle. The NFPA recommends these safety tips for the holiday season.

Candles and menorahs

Burn candles in the center of a one-foot “circle of safety” on a non-combustible saucer or candleholder, away from anything that can burn. Stay in the same room with burning candles; never leave them burning unattended. Be sure to extinguish candles before falling asleep, or going out of the area. Oil-based candles should not be put out with water. Treat them as a grease fire and put a cover or a lid on them. The flame will spread if the oil is displaced by water and may lead to burns or an increased fire. Keep candles out of reach of children and pets, and teach everyone in the family the rules of safe candle use.
           
Christmas tree fires are infrequent — but dangerous
Although Christmas tree fires are not as common as they used to be, when they do occur, they are more likely to be serious. On average, one of every 45 reported home fires that began with a Christmas tree resulted in a death, compared to an average of one death per 139 total reported home fires. These Christmas tree fires are mostly caused by electrical problems or when a heat source is too close to the tree.
           
When selecting a tree
Buy a fresh-cut tree — properly cared for, can stay green and fire safe for several weeks. Tap the butt on the ground and grab a branch near the top and pull your hand along it slowly. Needles should not fall off. If you bend a needle and it breaks before bending in half, it’s too dry!
           
Caring for the tree
Make a fresh cut an inch or two off the bottom before placing it in the stand and keep the stand full of water. This will help with absorption. Water a live tree every day. A tree that is not thirsty is a tree that is a fire risk.

Placing the tree
Place your tree in a non-tip style stand with wide feet, to keep it steady. Don’t block exits — keep doorways and exits clear. Place your tree and other decorations away from heaters, fireplaces, candles and all other sources of heat.

Decorating the tree
Purchase electric holiday lights that are listed by an approved testing agency — such as Underwriter’s Laboratory — and follow the manufacturer’s directions. Consider using LED lights that are cooler and use less electricity. Make sure the bulbs themselves are not touching the tree, curtains, wrapped gifts, and tree skirts. Never use lighted candles as decorations. Turn off the lights when leaving the house or going to bed for the night. Avoid overloading extension cords, a common cause of fires, by using no more than three strands of lights on a single extension cord. Remember never to put cords under rugs or behind furniture that can “pinch” them and cause fires.

Disposing of the tree
It is important to remove your holiday tree promptly; a dried out tree can easily ignite and will spread a fire quickly. The best way to dispose of your tree is by having it hauled away by a community pick-up service. In Long Beach, our Sanitation Department will pick up your trees. Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood-burning stove.

Outdoor decorations
We love light shows — and to compete with our neighbors for bragging rights over who has the best display. Be sure to use only lights that are rated for outdoor use. Do not drive nails or staples through wiring insulation; this can cause a fire. All outdoor electrical decorations should be plugged into a ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and extend their life.

Let’s do our best to help prevent a holiday fire.

Sources: National Fire Protection Association

Sam Pinto is a career firefighter, Long Beach school board trustee, paramedic, nationally certified fire instructor, and certified fire and life safety educator. He can be reached at SPinto@iaff287.org.