The holidays are prime times for home fires. The peak months for fires and fire related deaths are December and January. Many of these fires are preventable.

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department would like to offer some fire safety tips:

Christmas Tree and Lighting Safety

• Keep tree base immersed in water.
• Do not permit smoking near the tree.
• Use only lights that are Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approved.
• Use flame retardant decorations and paper.
• Inspect lights for frayed or cracked wiring, broken plugs, and check for defective sockets.
• Unplug lights at night and when leaving the home.
• Remove the tree soon after the holidays–before the needles dry.

Candle Safety

• Do not place candles near combustible materials.
• Place candles on a flat, sturdy surface, in glass or ceramic containers.
• Never leave children unattended in a room with an open flame candle.
• Always extinguish candles before leaving the home.
• Place all candles on a protected, heat resistant, dry surface away from anything that can catch fire and out of the reach of children and pets.

Combustibles Too Close To a Heating Source Safety

• Keep at least three feet of clearance between your alternate heating source and anything combustible.
• Do not store combustible materials in closed areas or near a heat source.

Alternate Heating Source Safety

• Keep at least three feet of clearance between your alternate heat source and anything combustible.
• Never leave a heater on when you are not in the room or when you go to sleep, and never leave children or pets unattended near heating sources.
• Only use heaters that have been tested to the latest safety standards and certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL). These heaters will have the most up-to-date safety features, such as automatic shut-offs. It is important to install and use heaters according to manufacturer’s recommendations.

Fireplace Safety

• Ensure that your system is professionally checked and inspected once a year.
• Use the proper fuel (seasoned hardwood, pellets, and gas/propane) for your type of system. Fireplaces should have a sturdy screen across the front to prevent embers from flying or logs from rolling out.
• A spark arrestor across the top of a chimney will prevent sparks from igniting your roof or your neighbor’s.
• Never use gasoline, kerosene, or any other type of flammable liquid to start a fireplace fire.
• When clearing ashes from the fireplace, be sure to put them into a metal container with a lid—never into a cardboard box or paper bag.
• Pour water into the container to make sure the ashes are cool.
• Keep your can OUTSIDE the home, away from your fireplace or stove.

Electrical Safety

• Replace or repair loose or frayed cords on all electrical devices.
• Avoid overloading outlets. Plug only one high-wattage appliance into each receptacle outlet at a time.
• When possible, avoid the use of “cube taps” and other devices that allow the connection of multiple appliances into a single receptacle.
• Consider having additional circuits or outlets added by a qualified electrician so you do not have to use extension cords.
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for plugging an appliance into a receptacle outlet.

Carbon Monoxide Safety

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is produced by incomplete combustion of fuels. It is an invisible, odorless, and tasteless toxic gas. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning exposure include: headache, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and confused thinking.

• Faulty gas or oil furnaces and water heaters
• Cracked chimney flues
• Indoor use of charcoal grills
• Use of a gas oven or range to warm a room
• Running a car in an enclosed area
• Closing the fireplace damper before the fire is completely out

• Have a qualified technician inspect your gas furnace and appliances.
• Never allow your car to run in an enclosed area, especially if it is attached to your house.
• Make sure your fireplace is in good repair and do not close the damper before the fire is out.
• Install Carbon Monoxide (CO) alarms to give your family a warning if CO is building up in your house.