Christmas Tree Fire Safety – A few things to consider.

We all love the scent of a fresh cut Christmas tree, the glow of lit candles and the warmth from a crackling fireplace during the holiday season. What we often fail to consider, however, is proper fire safety; in seconds, what should be a joyful celebration can turn into a terrifying disaster.  The U.S. Fire Administration estimates that over 200 fires annually involve Christmas trees, resulting in fatalities, injuries and home loss. An improperly set-up and neglected tree can catch fire and quickly burn, engulfing a room in minutes.

Janet Lake, the Fire Official for Bernards Township gave us great advice for prevention and care during this holiday season:

• MAKE SURE YOUR SMOKE DETECTORS ARE WORKING PROPERLY!
• Before putting any lights on your tree, plug in the lights and make sure they are working properly. If not, discard the lights and buy new ones.
• Place the tree in a stable, properly sized tree-stand and secure it according to the tree-stand instructions.
• Consider where you locate the tree in your home. It should be placed in a remote corner location that is away from all entrances and exits to the house; a critical consideration so that it does not block egress in case of an emergency. Keep the tree at least three feet away from the fireplace if you intend using it.
• Place plenty of water in the tree-stand and check the water level daily.
• Every morning check the tree for needle loss by running your hands over the needles to see how many fall off the tree. A fresh cut tree can go into "shock" due to an extreme temperature change and lose its needles quickly, becoming brittle. If this happens, unplug the lights and do not use them at all.
• Every evening before going to bed, or if you are going out for the evening, unplug the lights. Do not rely on a switch, UNPLUG them.
• Keep all incendiary materials away from the tree including candles.

Of course tree fires are not the only sources of holiday fires; candles, cooking appliances, and fireplaces require additional attention during the busy and often distracting holiday activities. Get your chimney inspected if it has not been inspected in the last two years. Never burn gift wrap in the fireplace; the ink on gift wrap burns at very high temperatures which can ignite creosote buildup on the inside of your fireplace chimney igniting a fire. Discard all fireplace ashes in a metal container outside away from the house and soak them in water for 24 hours.  Never vacuum fireplace ash unless everything but the dust has been removed.

Ms. Lake recommends the following: "As part of your regular routine during the holidays and throughout the year, make a nightly, safety walk around the house, after everyone goes to bed. Have two ways out of every room, practice fire drills, and have a meeting place outside for your family. Above all, have a safe and happy holiday."