While you deck the halls this holiday season, it is recommended that you do so in a safe way. There’s nothing worse than a fire to squelch that holiday spirit.
Here are a few things to keep in mind during the holiday season and throughout the winter months. Following some simple tips can help make your home fire-safe:
Christmas Trees, lights and decorations:
Look for the label “Fire Resistant” on artificial trees. If buying a real tree, check for freshness by pulling the branches of the tree. If the needles are hard to pull from the branches and do not snap in half, the tree is fresh. If the trunk end is sticky with resin, the tree should retain most of its needles. Be sure to cut off a few inches of the truck before placing it in water. Make sure that the tree has water at all times. Set trees up at least three feet, away from any heat source, such as fireplaces, space heaters or radiators. Also, keep it out of the way of your traffic pattern.
Don’t use lights on a metallic tree or the tree could become charged. Check all lights before using them to be sure that all lights are in order and that there are no frayed wires, loose connections or broken sockets. Make sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions as to the total number of light strands that can be connected together. Make sure lights being used for outdoor decorations are certified for outdoor use. Never use lights with staples, tacks or nails. Plug all outdoor lights into circuits with ground fault circuit interrupters. Be sure that all lights are turned off before you leave the house or go to bed.
If used improperly, extension cords can overheat and cause a fire. Do not plug one extension cord into another. Make sure to use an extension cord that is properly rated for its intended use, whether it be indoor or outdoor. Do not overload extension cords, or run them through walls, ceilings or floors, as heat will not be able to escape and may cause a fire. Make sure that the extension cord is not damaged, cracked or frayed. Keep all outdoor extension cords clear of snow and standing water.
Use only flame resistant or non-combustible material on your tree. Never light candles on or near evergreen trees, wreaths, or boughs, or curtain/drapes. Wear gloves when decorating with “angel hair” to avoid irritating your eyes and skin. Keep all live holiday plants and flowers out of the reach of children and pets.
Fireplaces, Woods Stoves and Portable Heaters:
Now that winter weather has arrived, many a fire place and wood stove will be used. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, under FEMA, over 30% of Americans use fireplaces, wood stoves and other fuel fed appliances to heat their homes. Every year, about 35% of all house fires are due to heating fires, many due to the creosote buildup. In order to operate these efficiently and safely, they offer the following recommendations:
*Have your fireplace cleaned and inspected each year by a certified chimney specialist.
*Clear the area around the hearth of any kind of flammable material.
*Keep glass doors open while burning a fire, which ensures enough air circulation needed to prevent creosote buildup. Keep the metal mesh screen closed to prevent stray embers.
*Close the glass doors after the fire is out to prohibit outside air from the chimney opening.
* Install stovepipe thermometers to monitor flue temperatures.
*Keep air inlets on wood stoves open, and never restrict air supply to fireplaces.
*Use fire-resistant materials on walls around wood stoves.
*Never use flammable liquids to start a fire.
*Use only seasoned hardwood. In pellet stoves, burn only dry, seasoned wood pellets.
*Build small fires that burn completely. They also produce less smoke.
*Never burn cardboard, trash or debris.
*Place the logs in the back of the fireplace on a strong supporting grate, when building a fire.
*Never leave a fire unattended. Extinguish the fire before going to bed or leaving the house.
*Be sure to allow ashes to cool completely before disposing them. Place ashes in a tightly covered metal container and keep the ash container at least 10 feet away from your home and any other nearby buildings. Never empty the ash directly into a trash can. Douse and saturate the ashes with water.
* Stack firewood outdoors, at least 30 feet away from your home.
*Cover the chimney with a mesh screen spark arrester.
* Make sure there are no branches or other foliage hanging near or above the chimney, flues or vents.
*Provide proper venting systems for all heating equipment, extending all vent pipes at least three feet above the roof.
* Choose a heater that is laboratory tested and has a thermostat and overheating protection.
* Make sure it has an auto shut-off feature that turns the heater off automatically if it tips over.
* Plug portable heaters directly into a wall outlet and keep it at least 3 feet away from any thing or person, especially children.
*Do not place a heater underneath a desk or in an enclosed space.
*Make sure to turn off and unplug portable heaters when not in use.
North Royalton Fire Chief, Bob Chegan reminds residents to keep their driveways, walkways, and fire hydrants clear of snow, make sure that their addresses are visible from the street, to ensure a safe and efficient response in case of an emergency.
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer