Wilton Fire Chief Urges Safety This Holiday Season

“House Lost to Fire During Holiday Season”

By Chief Ronald E. Kanterman

Wilton Fire Department

December 16, 2014

Can you imagine the local news reporting this headline? The holidays are a time of joy, celebration, friends, family and good times. We can all have fun and be safe at the same time. A reminder to:

· Keep live trees watered. They are vey thirsty! Check the water level every day.

· Make sure your smoke alarms are in good working order. (now and once a month throughout the year)

· Never use candles on live trees. (try flameless candles)

· Keep children and pets out of the kitchen when you’re cooking.

· Place menorahs away from combustibles and in an area where they can be seen/supervised from another room, if not in the occupied room for the night.

· Make sure all candles and other open flames are completely extinguished be- fore bed and check garbage cans and ash trays as well.

· Take extreme care when cleaning out fireplaces. Use metal waste cans. Never put ashes no matter how cold you think they are in paper or plastic containers or bags.

· Make sure holiday lighting is in good repair and don’t overload outlets, don’t run extension cords under rugs and dispose of old lights, wires and frayed cords.

Thank you for your generosity and kindness in participating in our Toys for Tots campaign along with the U.S. Marine Corps. As of this writing we have over 800 toys and counting!

From our house to yours, the members of the Wilton Fire Department wish you warm holiday greetings and a happy, healthy and safe New Year.