Keep Holidays Fire Safe

Christmas Trees

The most important factor is freshness, because of moisture content.

· The larger the tree, the greater the hazard! Buy only the size you need.

· Plastic trees should be fire-resistant and labeled as such. They will not burn easily.

· When purchasing from a lot, check the delivery date to select from the batch.

· Check by tapping on the ground. If excess needles shake loose, choose another.

· Pull on some needles. They should not come out easily.

· Check a small branch for brittleness.

· Bend a needle: fir needles snap when fresh; pine needles bend when fresh.

· Don't rely on green color; it may be sprayed on.

Setting Up, Watering, Placement

To keep a tree fresh do not leave it on a wooden stand from the lot.

· Use a stand that holds at least one gallon of water.

· Cut off one or two inches from the trunk. Place the tree in water within four hours.

· Clean a stand with a bleach-water mixture--one capful in a couple quarts of water. This kills microorganisms that prevent uptake of water.

· A tree stand should hold a minimum of one gallon of water.

· Check water level daily.

· Locate a tree away from all sources of heat, including TV's.

· Use a wire to anchor to a wall or ceiling.

· Place away from footpaths.

Lights, Candles and Metal Trees

Use only U.L. approved lights.

· Never use candles on a tree.

· Use outdoor lights only outdoors and indoor lights only indoors.

· Maximum 200 midget lights per string. Maximum three sets of regular lights per string.

· Lights should be on a 15-amp circuit. Don't overload a circuit. Use approved power strips.

· Inspect lights. If sockets or wiring are damaged, replace or repair. Place on fireproof surface and run for 15 minutes.

· Do not leave lights on when unattended. Turn off when retiring, and turn down heat in the room.

· Do not place lights on metal trees due to shock hazard.

· Use a color wheel and put floodlights out of reach of children.

· Fasten lights securely to branches. They should not contact needles or branches.

· Keep light wiring away from water in tree base.

· Don't allow smoking around tree, or around piles of wrapping paper.

Flame-proofing

Christmas trees over three feet tall in places of assembly must be flame-proofed.

· Must be done by a certified company using chemicals and methods approved by State Fire Marshal.

· Tree must be tagged to indicate conformation with State Fire Marshal regulations.

· If done on a lot, the firm must have a State Fire Marshal registration.

· Examine tree for adequacy of coverage, including undersides of needles. Fairly heavy coverage is required to be effective.

· Many chemicals used are water-soluble. Treated trees must be protected from weather.

· It is not necessary to pre-treat a flocked tree, unless flocking will be very light.

· Do not rely on do-it-yourself flame-proofing. Chemicals are impossible to apply correctly at home.

Ornaments, Trimmings and Costumes

Don't place breakable ornaments on lower branches where children or pets might reach them. May result in cuts or swallowed parts.

· Use flame-resistant or non-combustible trimmings.

· Discard old lead-type tinsel. Use new type only.

· Keep toxic plants, such as mistletoe or holly berries, away from children.

· Use care with salts used to make colored flames in fireplaces. They can cause intestinal illness if ingested.

· Know the Poison Control number: 1-800-456-7700.

Toys

Buy age appropriate toys.

· Check toys for sharp edges, points and small parts that may be swallowed.

· Teach children to use toys safely. Buy only electric toys with UL label.

· Operate toys using fuel, such as kerosene, alcohol, or gasoline outdoors with supervision.

· If people use candles around the house, we want them to remember that matches and lighters are not toys.

· Please keep them out of the reach of children.

· Check all decorations and costumes for flame-proofing, especially children's playsuits.

· Make sure Santa's whiskers can't catch fire.

Fireplaces

Do Not Burn Trees or Gift Wrapping in Fireplace!

· These materials burn explosively and may set fire to contents of room or chimney.

· Use care handling wood and irons.

· Don't hang flammable decorations from mantel.

· Remember that nearby flammables may be ignited by fire.

· Make sure a fireplace is not decorative.

· Don't use flammable liquid to start fire in a fireplace.

· Check that the flue is open before starting a fire.

· Keep the flue open until the ashes are cold.

· Remove all decorations from the area before starting.

· Do not attach decorations to the screen.

· Do not burn a tree or wrappings in fireplace.

· Keep the fireplace screen in place.

· Have chimney checked annually by a certified chimney sweep.

Cold Weather/Kitchen Safety

· Have heaters checked annually and clean them before first use.

· Don't use fuel-burning heaters indoors. Kerosene, briquettes, or propane give off carbon monoxide (CO) when burning. CO can kill.

· Maintain adequate clearance around all heaters, 36 inches from a wall or combustibles.

· Avoid using electric space heaters in bathrooms and never touch one when you are wet.

· Don't leave portable heaters unattended around children.

· Don't leave a heater on when you're not home. Have a chimney checked annually by a certified chimney sweep.

· Don't store flammables in furnace closets. Use care not to tip over portable heaters.

· Pot handles should be turned in, so that children cannot reach them.

· Don't wear loose clothing or long sleeves while cooking. Put a lid on a grease fire to extinguish.

· Remember scalding liquids can burn as severely as fire.

Disposal of Christmas Trees

Take a tree down immediately after Christmas, or as soon as needles begin to shed.

· Last year 100,000 trees were recycled rather than taking up space in landfills. The resulting mulch is useful in conserving water in public landscaped areas.

· Recycling program runs from December 27th to January 17th.

· For further information in Park City call 435-615-5000.

· In the County, call 435-615-4451.

Miscellaneous

Don't allow smoking around tree or around piles of wrapping paper.

· Have an extinguisher handy.

· Dispose of wrappings immediately after gifts are unwrapped.

· If fire starts, call 9-1-1 immediately.

· Know the Poison Control number: 1-800-456-7700