Holiday Safety Tips From the Fire Department

It was December of 2006 the last time a fire related to a Christmas tree caused a fatality in Los Angeles as far as the Los Angeles Fire Department staff can remember Firefighter spokesperson Shawn Lenske said. The LAFD would like to keep it that way.

http://lafd.blogspot.com/2006/12/christmas-tree-fuels-fatal-hollywood.html

This time of year the fire department is focusing on two main topics for the holiday season: Christmas tree safety and safety around open flames.

http://lafd.blogspot.com/2011/12/firefighters-do-you-have-killer.html

One of the things people often overlook with their Christmas trees,  a side from watering them regularly to keep them from drying out, people often neglect to inspect their lights that they resuse each year, Lenske said.

Those lights can short out causing sparks and in less than seven seconds an entire Christmas tree can go up in flames, according to the LAFD.

“Any time we have an open flame we always caution people with utilization and care of it,” Lenske said. “Not just the fact that it’s fire, when you are talking about kids being around open flames, accidents happen.”

The LAFD suggested the following safety tips when using an open flame on its website:

• Extinguish all candles when leaving a room or going to sleep.
• Keep candles at least 12" away from any flammable items, including areas cluttered with holiday decorations - and especially distant from children and pets.
• Don’t burn a candle all the way down — put it out before it gets too close to the holder or container.
• Use sturdy non-combustible candle holders that won't tip over easily and are large enough to collect dripping wax.
• Don't place lit candles in or near windows, blinds and curtains.
• No one should sleep in a room with a lit candle.
• Store candles, matches and lighters up high and out of children's sight and reach, preferably in a locked cabinet.
• Never use a candle if medical oxygen is used in the home.
• Don't use a lit candle when searching for items in a confined space or checking pilot lights or fueling equipment.
• Have flashlights and battery-powered lighting ready to use during a power outage. Never use candles for emergency lighting.
• And finally, please consider gifts other than candles this holiday season!”