Special
fire safety precautions need to be taken 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 Christmas
Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to
pull back from the branches, and 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, including
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.
- Artificial
Christmas Trees
If you are using a metallic or artificial Christmas
tree, make sure it is flame retardant.
- Christmas
Tree Lights
Inspect Christmas tree 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 two
light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings
of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet.
Make sure to periodically check the wires - they should not be warm
to the touch. Do Not Leave Lights
On Unattended.
- Decorations
Use Only Non-flammable Decorations.
All decorations should be non-flammable or flame-retardant and placed
away from heat vents. Never leave wrapping paper in a fireplace
dispose of it immediately into an external bin.
- Candle
Care
Avoid Using Lit Candles If you do use them, 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 Christmas Tree and do not go near
a Christmas tree with an open flame i.e. candles, lighters or matches.
Please have a safe
FIRE FREE CHRISTMAS and a prosperous New
Year!! |