As families get busy preparing for the holidays, Snohomish County fire departments have to be ready to douse fires started by Christmas trees and holiday decorations.
People often become distracted or tired during the holidays, and that’s when most house fires happen, said Autumn Waite, Snohomish County Fire District 7 public educator. Fire prevention officials offer tips on how to make your holidays safer.
Each year, fire departments nationwide respond to about 250 fires caused by Christmas trees, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
At home, place the tree away from heat sources. Never use lit candles to decorate a tree. Follow manufacturer instructions on how to use tree lights. Always unplug them before leaving home or going to sleep. Keep an eye on your children and make sure they don’t play with the lights or wiring. Replace any string of lights with loose bulb connections or frayed cords.
Choose a sturdy tree stand designed not to tip over. Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit and is at least 3 feet away from any heat source, such as a fireplace or radiator. If you have an artificial tree, make sure it’s labeled by the manufacturer as fire-retardant. If you choose a fresh tree, make sure the green needles don’t fall off if you touch them. Cut 1 or 2 inches from the trunk before putting the tree in the stand. Pour water into the stand and don’t forget to water your tree daily. Trees can dry up quickly and pose a serious fire hazard.
December also is the month with the most house fires started by candles, so it’s important to focus on candle safety, Waite said. In Washington, 133 fires were started by candles in 2008, causing $2.6 million in damages. Don’t use candles in sleeping areas. Almost 40 percent of all candle fires begin in the bedroom, according to the state Fire Marshal’s office.
Never leave burning candles unattended. Use them only in rooms where a responsible adult can keep an eye on them. Keep candles out of children’s reach and away from anything that can burn.
Katya Yefimova: 425-339-3452, kyefimova@heraldnet.com.
By the numbers
63 fires were sparked by candles in Washington this year, causing $1.5 million in damage.
26 percent of deaths from candle fires occur because people fall asleep.
1 in 4 Christmas tree house fires start from a heat source too close to the tree.
1 in 18 reported Christmas tree house fires result in death.
Up in flames
A National Fire Protection Association video shows how flammable a dry Christmas tree can be compared to one that has been watered regularly. Go to http://tinyurl.com/ygbexbd.
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