Commentary: Fire department offers advice to ensure safe, happy holidays

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Andrew Cranfill
  • 100th Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Decorating homes and work-centers is a long-standing tradition around the holiday season. Unfortunately, these same decorations may increase your chances of fire.

Following a few simple fire safety tips can keep lights, candles, and Christmas trees from creating a tragedy.

Christmas tree fires are not common, but when they occur, they are likely to be serious. According to the National Fire Protection Association, one in 18 reported fires that started with a Christmas tree resulted in death. To help prevent this, ensure Christmas trees and other holiday decorations don't block an exit way. For live trees, keep a stand filled with water at all times and check the tree regularly, to ensure it doesn't dry out.

Additionally, heat sources placed too closely to Christmas trees started one in five of these fires. A small fire can grow large very quickly, so keep trees at least 3 feet from fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, heating vents and any other heat sources. The additional heat will dry them out, making them easily ignitable by heat, flame or sparks. Also, avoid using lit candles; consider using battery-operated flameless candles which can look, smell and feel like real candles.

Look for the Underwriters' Laboratory mark or British Safety Standard mark (BS Kitemark) on light strings, electrical decorations and extension cords. These markings indicate engineers have tested samples of the product for safety hazards, such as fire and shock, and have deemed them safe.

Never connect more than one set of lights to a single plug and ensure outside lights, decorations and extension cords are rated for outside use. Lights intended for indoor-only use bear green holographic UL marks. Light strings intended for indoor or outdoor use bear red holographic UL marks.

Lastly, inspect your decorations, lighting and trees on a regular basis. According to the Consumer Products Safety Commission, approximately 12,500 people each year are treated in emergency rooms for injuries related to holiday decoration mishaps. Don't let it be you!

Taking extra precautions now can keep you and your family safe this holiday season.