Fire Safety Tips: Don't Let Your Christmas Tree Go Up in Flames

For many Gwinnett County residents, decorating the Christmas tree is a favorite part of the busy holiday season.

“During the holidays the fire load inside a home increases,” said Captain Tommy Rutledge, spokesman for Gwinnett County Fire and Emergency Services.

Rutledge said a live tree can fill your home with the scent of fresh pine and illuminating beauty; however, it can also pose a fire hazard if not properly cared for.

Consider the following safety tips:

PREVENTING HOLIDAY TREE FIRES

• • Holiday Tree Fire Hazards - Special fire safety precautions need to be taken when keeping a live tree in the house. A burning tree can rapidly fill a room with fire and deadly smoke and gases.
  • Selecting Your Tree - Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needles should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has probably dried out and may be a fire hazard.
  • Caring for Your Tree - Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. Heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by a flame or spark. Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree. Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times to keep the tree moist.
  • Disposing of Your Tree - Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood-burning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away by a community pick-up service.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS

• • Maintain Your Holiday Lights - Inspect holiday lights for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinks or wear, before they are used. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.
  • Do Not Overload Electrical Outlets - Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions specifically indicate it is safe to connect more. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Periodically check the wires - they should not be warm or hot to the touch.
  • Do Not Leave Holiday Lights On When Unattended – Never leave holiday decorations on unattended. When leaving the house, be sure to turn the Christmas tree off and blowout holiday candles.

HOLIDAY DECORATIONS

• • Use Only Nonflammable Decorations. All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heat vents. Never put wrapping paper in a fireplace; burning wrapping paper can produce toxic gases. Artificial Holiday Trees - If you’re using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.

CANDLE CARE

• • Use Caution with Lit Candles - Be sure lit candles are placed in stable holders and cannot be easily knocked over. Never leave the house with candles burning.
  • Never place lit candles on a holiday tree or decorative wreath - Avoid going near a holiday tree or wreath with an open flame such as candles, lighters or matches.

Finally, as in every season, have a working smoke alarm on every level of the home and in each of the bedrooms. Develop a home fire escape plan and practice fire drill regularly. Keep a portable (ABC dry-chemical)fire extinguisher close at hand for small fires. For additional information on fire safety, please contact Gwinnett Fire Community Risk Reduction at 678.518.4845 or e-mail fireprograms@gwinnettcounty.com. The department offers free home safety surveys and smoke alarm checks as part of its community outreach programs.

(Photo: Patch file.)