FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- Each year holiday season fires claim the lives of more than 400 people, injure 1,650 more, and cause more than $990 million in damage. According to the United States Fire Administration, or USFA, there are simple life-saving steps you can take to ensure a safe and happy holiday. By following some of the outlined precautionary tips, individuals can greatly reduce their chances of becoming holiday fire casualties.
Preventing Christmas tree fires
Christmas tree fire hazards
Take special fire safety precautions when keeping a live tree in the house. A burning tree can rapidly fill a room with fire and deadly gases.
Selecting a tree for the holiday
Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches; the needle 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 been cut too long, has probably dried out and is a fire hazard.
Caring for your tree
Do not place your tree close to a heat source such as a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks. 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.
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 each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. 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 indicate that it's safe. Connect light strings to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet.
Holiday Decorations
Use only nonflammable decorations
All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and be placed away from heat vents.
Never put wrapping paper in a fireplace
Wrapping paper near the fire place can result in a very large fire, throwing off dangerous sparks and embers and may result in a chimney fire.
Artificial Christmas trees
If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure that it's flame retardant.
Candle Care
Avoid using lit candles
If you do use candles, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Never leave the house with candles burning.
Never put lit candles on a tree
Do not go near a Christmas tree with an open flame - candles, lighters or matches.
Finally, as in every season, have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home, test them monthly and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times; know when and how to call for help; and remember to practice your home escape plan often.
Turkey Fryers
Why using a deep-fryer can be dangerous
Many units easily tip over, spilling the hot oil from the cooking pot.
If the cooking pot is overfilled with oil, the oil may spill out of the unit when the turkey is placed into the pot. Oil may hit the burner or flames, causing a fire to engulf the entire unit.
Partially frozen turkeys placed into the fryer can cause a spillover effect. This too, may result in an extensive fire.
With no thermostat controls, the units also have the potential to overheat the oil to the point of combustion.
The sides of the cooking pot, lid and pot handles get dangerously hot, posing severe burn hazards.
Tips for turkey fryer safe use
Turkey fryers should always be used outdoors a safe distance from buildings and any other material that can burn.
Never use turkey fryers on wooden decks or in garages.
Make sure the fryers are used on a flat surface to reduce accidental tipping.
Never leave the fryer unattended. Most units do not have thermostat controls.
To avoid oil spillover, do not overfill the fryer.
Make sure the turkey is completely thawed and be careful with marinades. Oil and water don't mix and water causes oil to spill over, causing a fire or even an explosion hazard.
Keep an all-purpose fire extinguisher nearby. Never use water to extinguish a grease fire.
Remember to use your best judgment when attempting to fight a fire. If the fire is manageable, use an all-purpose fire extinguisher. If the fire increases, immediately call 9-1-1 for help.
Even after use, never allow children or pets near the turkey fryer. The oil inside the cooking pots remains dangerously hot, hours after use.
A little practice can go a long way when it comes to safety around the holidays. Please practice safety all year long and have a fire safe holiday.