 Holiday Safety Tips
From Richardson’s Fire Marshal
We think of the holidays as happy times, a chance to celebrate with family and friends. The Richardson Fire Department wants to wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season, and offers the following suggestions to keep your holiday safe:
 When purchasing a live tree, look for signs of freshness. A fresh tree is green. Needles will be hard to pull from branches and should bend, not break, when bent between your fingers. If the tree is bounced on the ground, a minimum of needles should fall off.
- To keep your tree fresh, cut off about two inches of the trunk to expose fresh wood for better absorption of water. Store the tree outside the house until you’re ready to decorate, and keep the stand filled with water at all times.
- When placing your tree, make sure it is kept away from sources of heat, like fireplaces or heat vents, and out of the way of household traffic.
 Check out your lights before placing them on the tree.
- Purchase only UL approved lights. Look for worn or frayed wires and broken bulbs. Make sure you do not overload extension cords – no more than three sets of lights per single extension.
- The greatest danger exists when tree ornament lights are left on for an extended period. This allows the lights to heat portions of the tree to a danger degree. For this reason, the lights should be left on overnight or when no one is around.
- Take care when using candles. Keep them away from decorations and the tree. Place them where they cannot be knocked over or reached by children. Do not leave lit candles in an unattended room.
- If you use an artificial tree, make sure it is labeled Fire Resistant.
- Dispose of wrapping paper and open boxes at once. Do not burn trees, decorations or wrapping paper in your fireplace. Wrappings and evergreens burn rapidly and throw sparks into the room and on the roof.
- Take the tree down as soon as possible after Christmas.
 Make sure your smoke detectors are working properly.
This Christmas consider the gift that says you really care. Give smoke detectors, portable fire extinguishers and fire escape ladders as gifts to family and friends. Remember – by taking some precautions, you and your family can celebrate a fire-safe holiday.
Stephen Dossett
Richardson Fire Marshal
|