Remain Safe This Holiday Season: Illinois Fire Safety Alliance Offers Safety Tips & Advice

Mount Prospect, IL – Across Illinois, people are putting up Christmas trees, hanging festive lights, lighting candles, and otherwise readying for and celebrating the holiday season. The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance urges all to enjoy the holidays with care, as this time of the year typically sees an uptick in home and house fires.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), from 2010 to 2014, fire departments in the United States annually responded to average of 210 fires that could be traced back to Christmas trees. On average, one of every 34 Christmas tree-related fires resulted in a death, compared to the average of one death for every 142 home fires. A full third of these Christmas tree fires began because of faulty or haphazard holiday lighting and wiring.

“It is critical that everybody – renters, homeowners, landlords, and more – takes fire safety into account while planning for the holidays. Fire safety is frequently overlooked this time of the year, sometimes to tragic effect. The Illinois Fire Safety Alliance urges all in the State to have a happy and safe holiday season,” said IFSA Executive Director Philip Zaleski.

In addition to the following holiday-specific safety tips, having working smoke alarms is critical in protecting against fires. Three of every five home fire deaths in the United States occurs in homes without smoke alarms or working smoke alarms. The IFSA strongly urges people to invest in 10-year smoke alarms. Such units come equipped with sealed-in, non-removable batteries capable of powering the device for at least 10 years. These alarms require much less maintenance than alarms with removable batteries, and are virtually impossible to disable.

The IFSA reminds residents that smoke alarms should be installed inside and outside of each bedroom, sleeping area, and on every level of a home, and they should be tested monthly. If a smoke alarm chirps, the battery should immediately be replaced. Smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years with new units.

The IFSA and the National Fire Protection Association offer the following safety tips:

When choosing a Christmas tree –

• Check a tree for dryness while at the seller’s lot – shake the trunk above a light-colored surface and watch for falling needles. If too many dry needles fall, choose a fresher tree. A locally-grown tree from New York may be fresher than one brought in from out of state.
• Avoid trees with an artificial-looking green tint on the branches or trunk – these trees may have been spray-painted to improve their appearance. The paint used may be combustible and could be hazardous as well. When in doubt, ask the seller if they sell painted trees.
• Have the merchant saw off an inch or two from the trunk of the tree to help keep the tree fresh longer at home; also, if your tree is left outside, placing the trunk in a bucket of water will help keep it fresh.
• When disposing of a tree, DO NOT leave it inside a home or building; DO NOT place it against the exterior of a home or building. In both cases, the tree is likely dried out and thus poses an increased fire hazard.

When choosing holiday decorations and lighting –

• When possible, choose decorations made with flame-resistant, flame-retardant or non-combustible materials. Look for these designations on the product’s packaging.
• Purchase lights and electrical decorations stamped with the name or symbol of an independent testing lab – for example, “UL”, or Underwriters’ Laboratories – and ALWAYS follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation and maintenance.
• Carefully inspect new and previously used light strands. Look for frayed cables and replace any damaged or missing bulbs before plugging lights in.
• Do not overload extension cords, power strips, or electrical outlets.
• When using power cords to illuminate outdoor displays, ensure that they are designated for EXTERNAL or outdoor use only – NEVER use power cords that are meant for indoor use. This information is usually indicated on the product’s packaging.
• Turn lights off overnight. If possible, use a timer device to turn your lights off automatically. This not only lessens the risk of fire, but saves on energy bills as well.

If you light holiday candles or candelabras (menorahs, window candles, etc.) –

• Keep lighted candles and candelabras at least one foot away from any combustible materials. DO NOT place candles anywhere near window curtains, furniture, wrapped gifts or anything else that could ignite.
• Place candles and candelabras where they cannot be knocked down or tipped/blown over. If possible, keep the candle inside a weighted holder or one with a wide base.
• Extinguish a candle before it burns to within two inches of its holder.
• NEVER leave a lighted candle unattended – extinguish a candle before leaving the room.
• Discourage the use of candles in bedrooms and other areas where you may fall asleep.
• Store matches and lighters in high places, out of the reach of children, and ideally inside a locked cabinet.
• Consider using battery-powered candles instead; if using electrical, “plug-in” candles - follow manufacturers’ instructions.

ABOUT THE ILLINOIS FIRE SAFETY ALLIANCE: Since 1982, the Illinois Fire Safety Alliance (IFSA), a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization, has been promoting and disseminating fire safety and burn prevention materials and resources. The IFSA also hosts a variety of support programs for burn survivors including the Young Adult Summit, Family Day, and Camp “I Am Me,” a unique weeklong camp for children who have experienced severe burn injuries. For more information, visit www.IFSA.org.

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