STATE OF VERMONT
DIVISION OF FIRE SAFETY

INFORMATIONAL PRESS RELEASE
FIRE SAFETY EDITORIAL

This information is being provided in an effort to promote fire prevention and to enhance the public safety of all Vermonters. This fire safety editorial is part of the Division of Fire Safety's continued commitment to our mission to protect the public and the fire service with coordinated efforts in Code Enforcement, Fire Service Training, Public Education, Hazardous Materials and Incident Investigation.
Please share this information with your readers and audiences because, knowledge is the best fire protection.

How To Have A Fire Safe Holiday Season

There's no place like home for the holidays. However, the number of fires, fire injuries, fire deaths, and property losses increase significantly during the holidays. The heightened excitement and extra distractions of visiting relatives, children staying home on school holidays, shopping, decorating, cooking, and parties can place a heavy demand on everyone's time and attention causing many people to overlook basic safety measures. The additional hazards of winter, such as home heating and increased electrical usage also increase the risk of fire.

On average, 300 home structure fires begin with Christmas trees each year. Every year, firefighters 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 a handful holiday safety reminders from the State of Vermont Division of Fire Safety and your local fire department to ensure that we will not make an unplanned visit to your home this holiday season:

• Never leave a burning candle unattended. Never burn a candle on or near anything that might catch fire. Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets. Never leave lit candles unattended. Put candles in proper holders so that they cannot fall or be knocked over. And Keep matches and lighters locked out of reach.
• Natural Christmas trees always involve some risk of fire. To minimize the risk, cut off about two inches of the trunk to expose fresh wood for better water absorption. check for fresh, green needles. Do not purchase a tree that is dry or dropping needles. When purchasing an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled as fire-retardant. Keep natural trees watered at all times. Do not put the tree near a fireplace, space heater, radiator or heat vent.
• Never leave a lit Christmas tree or other decorative lighting display unattended. Inspect lights for exposed or frayed wires, loose connections and broken sockets. Do not overload extension cords or outlets and make sure the extension cord is rated for the intended use. Also never run an electrical cord under a rug.
• Carefully inspect every electrical decoration before plugging it in. Cracked sockets, frayed, loose or bare wires, and loose connections may cause serious electric shock or start a fire. Replace damaged items with new decorations.
• Don't hang lights with staples or nails that can damage the cord's wire insulation.
• Do not burn Christmas tree branches, treated wood or wrapping paper in a home fireplace.
• Choose Safe Toys, Even innocent-looking toys - such as marbles and balloons - can present dangers to children. Many toy-related injuries occur when parents overestimate a child's ability to handle a toy designed for an older age group.
• Never leave cooking unattended, even for a moment; grease fires begin in seconds.
• Ensure that all your overnight guests are familiar with the escape route and know their meeting place outside the home.
• Give a gift to save a life. What better way to show you care than to give a smoke alarm, carbon monoxide alarm or a fire extinguisher to someone you love.

During the holiday season many fires are caused by people attempting to cook or smoke while under the influence of alcohol. Check that all cigarettes are properly extinguished and the stove is off before going to bed. Make sure your smoke alarms are in good working order and that everyone in your home knows how to escape if a fire occurs. No one needs to die in a home fire, especially not you or your children.

Have a Happy and Fire Safe Holiday Season.