View the Firefighters & Fire Sprinklers—Partners in Progress supplement in its entirety via Firehouse’s proprietary digital platform Clarity, which includes additional content and videos, here.
Download the full PDF of the PPE supplement here.
View Firehouse’s collection of supplements and special content at firehouse.com/special-content.
This holiday season, many homes will display festive Christmas trees. And while Christmas trees are meant to elicit joy and merriment, they can also spark dangerous and deadly home fires.
It is important that fire departments play an active role in educating their communities about proper Christmas tree safety to reduce the number of fires to which they must respond, thereby keeping their citizens—and themselves—out of harm’s way. The key messages: Home fire sprinklers increase safety and provide time for escape, and all homeowners should think about installing a fire sprinkler system.
The following are additional Christmas tree safety tips that fire personnel should share with homeowners in their communities:
- Consider an artificial tree this season. They’re less flammable than live trees and don’t require watering.
- If you get a live tree, make sure it’s fresh. Needles should be green and springy to the touch.
- Cut 1 to 2 inches off the bottom of the trunk before placing the tree in the stand. A fresh cut allows the tree to absorb the water. Place the tree in water right away.
- Fill the tree stand with water every day.
- Make sure the tree is at least 3 feet away from any heat source, like floor vents, fireplaces, radiators, candles and lamps.
- Make sure your tree is not blocking an exit.
- Always turn off the tree lights or unplug them before going to bed or leaving your home.
- Use lights that are approved by a national testing organization, like UL.
- Replace lights that have worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.
- Follow manufacturer’s instructions for the number of light strands you can safely connect. Make sure you are using the right lights for indoors or outdoors.
- Remove your tree immediately after the holidays, even if you don’t think it’s dry.
- Put working smoke alarms on every level of your home, especially inside and outside the sleeping areas.
- Remember to test your smoke alarms and tell guests about your fire escape plan.
- Practice your home fire escape plan regularly.
For more information about fire safety, visit Common Voices at FireAdvocates.org.
