Gainesville Fire Rescue Winter Holidays Safety

Published on May 05, 2021

Winter holidays offer opportunities for gathering with neighbors, families and friends, but also bring an increased risk for fires.  Home fires during the holiday season often involve cooking, Christmas trees, candles and holiday decorations. Gainesville Fire Rescue would like to provide a few brief reminders that everyone should consider to ensure a happy and fire-safe holiday season. 

Facts

·         Electrical distribution or lighting equipment is involved in almost half of home Christmas tree fires.

o    Dangers of Dry Christmas Tree Video:  https://youtu.be/xr6b9b8FYKk

·         The three leading dates for home structure fires caused by cooking are: Thanksgiving, Christmas day and Christmas Eve.

·         Half of home decoration fires are started by candles.

Entertaining

·         Test your smoke alarms and tell guests about your home fire escape plan.

·         Keep children and pets away from lit candles.

·         Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet.

·         Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop.

·         Ask smokers to smoke outside. Remind smokers to keep their smoking materials with them so young children do not touch them. Provide large, deep ashtrays for smokers.

Before Heading Out or to Bed…

·         Blow out lit candles when you leave the room or go to bed.

·         Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving home or going to bed.

Holiday Decorations

·         Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.

·         Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat sources, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or light bulbs.

·         Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.

·         Add water to the tree stand daily.

·         Never use lit candles to decorate the tree and keep them away from decorations and other things that can burn.

·         Be careful with holiday decorations. Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.

·         Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but may not be for both.

·         Replace strings of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read the manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect.

·         Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.

·         Keep electrical cords and decorations away from windows and doors.

Link for more information NFPA: https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Seasonal-fire-causes/Winter-holidays

For more information about holiday safety, please contact Assistant Chief Stephen Hesson at 352-318-5982. You can also like Gainesville Fire Rescue on Facebook or follow on Twitter for more holiday safety tips!