How To Have A
Fire Safe Holiday Season
Every year, we respond to tragic incidents where people suffer
injuries, burns, and even death due to carelessness with holiday
decorations. Trees, lights, ornaments, and fireplaces produce
extra hazards in your home at a time when hectic activity distracts
your attention from fire safety.
Here are some safety tips from the Fairfax County Fire and
Rescue Department to ensure that we will not make an unplanned
visit to your home this holiday season:
- Make sure your natural tree is a fresh one. Fresh needles
won't break when you bend them. Once you get your fresh tree
home, cut off one to two inches of the trunk and place it
in a stable holder. Keep the holder full of water, and the
tree away from sources of heat, to keep your tree from drying
out.
- Use only flame-proof decorations, and check the wiring on
all your electrical decorations before you put them up. Avoid
using extension cords to run your electrical decorations.
Make sure your electrical decorations are tested and labeled.
- Don't use real candles as part of decorations.
- Don't use your fireplace as a disposal site for wrapping
paper, boxes, or your tree. These items should be disposed
of properly with your normal trash.
- Keep an extra eye on friends and family members who smoke.
Make sure that ashes and lit cigarettes don't fall onto chairs,
gifts, or wrapping paper. Don't empty cigarette ashtrays into
the trash.
- Take an extra minute to ensure all your home fire safety
devices are prepared for the holidays. Clean and test your
smoke alarm and make sure your portable fire extinguisher
is pressurized and not blocked by all the extra holiday packages.
Have a happy and safe holiday season!
For more information on this or other
safety issues, please contact the Public Affairs and Life
Safety Education Section at 703-246-3801 or TTY 711.
