Fire Safety for the Holidays

Holiday Fires

Historically, property damage, injury and death rates increase during the holidays. Working smoke alarms and home escape plans will help you and your family escape from a home fire, but observing the following home fire-safety precautions will help prevent holiday home fires. Help us help you to make this a fire safe holiday.

Candles

Candle usage has risen in popularity as have fires from candles that have been left unattended. If you will use candles during the holidays, use them safely.

1.  Do not use candles in decorations or displays; the open flames from these candles can ignite the materials in those decorations and displays.

2.  If you do use candles, be sure to use the following safety tips:

1. Place candles securely in non-tip candle holders.
2. Keep candles out of the reach of children.
3. Keep candles well away from trees, decorations, curtains and other items that burn.
4. Never put candles near windows or exits.
5. Always blow candles out before you leave the room or go to sleep.

Trees

Trees tend to dry out and catch fire easily. Cut your own tree or be sure to buy a fresh one that does not shed its needles and that when the needles are pulled, they spring back into position.

1. Cut about 1" off the bottom of the tree before placing the tree in a large, deep non-tip stand well away from fireplaces, exits, and heat sources.
2. Be sure you tree has a constant supply of water. A fresh tree can "drink" up to a gallon of water per day!
3. Decorate the tree with UL listed mini-lights. These lights produce less heat and dry out the tree less than the larger lights.


4. Plug three or fewer strings of lights together, and then start a new string of three or fewer.
5. If the tree dries out, remove it promptly from the home.
6. If you use an artificial tree, be sure it is flame-retardant. And never use lights on a metallic tree.

Holiday Celebrations

Holiday celebrations may put your home at risk for fire. Make sure your home is safe for the holidays by practicing safety before, during and after the celebrations.

1. Use flame-retardant or non-combustible materials for decorations.
2. If you use candles during a celebration be sure they are in sturdy, non-tip holders away from things that can burn. Blow the candles out before people leave the room; never leave burning candles in the bathrooms.
3. Provide smokers with large, deep, n0n-tip ashtrays and keep an eye on anyone who is drinking and smoking.
4. Empty ashtrays often - wet their contents before dumping them.
5. After the party check cushions and furniture for smoldering cigarette butts.
6. Supervise children and keep matches, lighters and candles out of their reach.

Heating Your Home

Winter holidays come at the start of the heating season. Keep you home safe and warm.

1. Keep all space heaters and portable heaters at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn. Turn them off and unplug them when you leave the room.

2. Have furnaces and chimneys inspected once a year, before the heating season begins, and cleaned as appropriate.

3. Keep fireplace fires small, and use a screen to prevent sparks from flying into the room.
4. Do not leave children alone in a room with a fireplace fire.
5. Never burn gift paper or trash in your fireplace.
6. Place ashes from the fireplace in a metal container, place it outside at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn and let cool for 3 days before disposing them.

Hillsboro Fire Department
240 South First Avenue
Hillsboro, OR 97123
503-681-6166