Manchester Fire Department Eighth Utilities District offers Tips For a Fire Safe Holiday Season

MANCHESTER– It’s the beginning of the month and the Manchester Fire Department-Eighth Utilities District wants to remind all residents that it’s time for their monthly smoke alarm test and to keep fire safety in mind when you are decking the halls this holiday season.

Follow these simple safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association to help keep yourself and your family and friends safer from fire this holiday season.

“The holidays carry a host of traditions and festivities that people look forward to all year. Unfortunately, many of these activities carry hidden dangers that present potential fire hazards,” said Lorraine Carli, NFPA’s vice president for Outreach and Advocacy.

Holiday decorations, Christmas trees, candles and cooking all contribute to an increased number of home fires during December, making it one of the four leading months for U.S. home fires. Consider these facts:

Holiday cooking: While cooking fires are the leading cause of U.S. home fires and injuries year-round, Christmas Day and Christmas Eve ranked second and third (after Thanksgiving) as the leading days for home cooking fires. On Christmas Day in 2013, there was a 58 percent increase in the number of home cooking fires than on a typical day, and a 54 percent increase on Christmas Eve.

Christmas trees: Christmas tree fires are not common, but when they do occur, they’re much more likely to be deadly than most other fires. One of every 31 reported home Christmas tree fires results in a death each year, compared to an annual average of one death per 144 total reported home fires. Live trees must be kept watered at all times.

Candles: December is the peak time of year for home candle fires; the top four days for home candle fires are New Year’s Day, Christmas, New Year’s Eve and Christmas Eve. In December, 11 percent of home candle fires began with decorations, compared to 4 percent the rest of the year.

Holiday decorations: Between 2009 and 2013, U.S. fire departments responded to an annual average of 860 home fires that began with decorations (excluding Christmas trees). These fires caused an annual average of one civilian death, 41 injuries and $13.4 million in direct property damage. One fifth (20 percent) of the decoration firesv started in the kitchen; one out of six (17 percent) started in the living room, family room or den.

Even following precautions it is still vital that every residence has working smoke alarms. Alarms should be tested at least once per month and their batteries changed every six months. Smoke Alarms do expire and need to be replaced every 10 years. The Manchester Fire Department–Eighth Utilities District has a free smoke alarm program. For more information call 860-643-6209 Ext. 826