The holiday season is a joyful time of generosity and warmth, of song, and of family and traditions. It is also, unfortunately, a time when there is an increase in house fires—fueled in part by holiday decorations, candles, and Christmas trees. Fires caused by candles, for instance, increase fourfold during the holidays, and about 200 house fires occur each year where Christmas trees are the initial source of ignition.
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The statistics are startling. House fires during the winter holiday season kill 500 and injure 2,000 people, and cause more than $500 million in damage annually. In an effort to reduce these numbers, FEMA and its U.S. Fire Administration tout fire-safe holiday tips through print and broadcast media. The safe holiday tips include the following:
- Select a fresh Christmas tree that is kept in water at all times. Needles on fresh trees should be green and should not fall off easily. Don't put the tree up too early or leave it up longer than two weeks. Dried out Christmas trees can ignite easily and boost a fire by spreading it rapidly to nearby combustible materials.
- Place Christmas trees in a safe place, at least three feet away from heat sources such as a fireplace or heat vent and keep the tree well watered.
- Maintain holiday lights. Inspect lights before using them to ensure they don't have frayed wires, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, or excessive wear. Only use lighting that is listed by an approved testing laboratory and don't leave the lights on when you're not home.
- Avoid overloading electrical outlets. Don't link more than three light strands unless the directions indicate it is safe. Periodically check the wires. They should not be warm to the touch.
- Always unplug lights before replacing light bulbs or fuses. And don't overload receptacle outlets.
- Use only nonflammable decorations that are placed away from heat vents and if you're using an artificial tree, make sure that it's flame retardant.
- Avoid using candles. If you do use candles, ensure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Do not leave lit candles unattended, never put candles on a Christmas tree, and never leave the house with candles burning. Place menorahs away from vents or flammable materials.
- Have your chimney inspected at least once a year and cleaned if necessary. Use a fire screen and only burn material appropriate for fireplaces.
It's also important to know that fires caused by children increase during the holiday season.
According to FEMA's National Fire Incident Reporting System, children cause nearly 60 house fires nationally a day in mid-December, with another sharp increase on New Year's Day. Parents should take precautions to prevent such avoidable tragedies.
Every year, the anticipated joy of the holiday season turns to unexpected grief and loss for families hit by residential fires. Please heed these simple commonsense tips and enjoy a safe and happy holiday season.
Pet Safety
Yuletide traditions can be hazardous to your pet's health. Watch out for the following:
- Christmas lillies such as Tiger, Asian, Japanese Show, Stargazer and the Casa Blanca Lilly can cause kidney failure in cats.
- Holly, poinsettias and live mistletoe can cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea and lethargy if ingested by your pet.
- Pine tree needles or Christmas tree water with fertilizer can cause an upset stomach and oral pain.
- Stagnant tree water can act as a breeding ground for bacteria.
- If you suspect that your pet has eaten a potentially toxic substance, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center's emergency hotline--1-888-4-ANI-HELP--for round-the-clock telephone assistance.
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