Nothing says “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas” better than the glow of a well-lit tree, lights strung outdoors, scented candlelight, and maybe even a fire burning in the fireplace. Celebrating Hanukkah, the festival of lights, means lots of candles filling the home with a warm glow. Making all of that come to life requires planning, time and effort. Certainly, keeping the family safe through the holidays is worth a few moments to review these safety measures that make all the difference in preventing fires and burns.
Live trees are safest when they are fresh and moist. Look for a tree that is nice and green, needles are hard to pull from branches, and when bent between your fingers, needles do not break. The trunk of your tree should be sticky with resin. Before you buy, try tapping it on the ground and see that it does not lose a shower of needles.
If you’re going with an artificial tree this year, look for the label, “Fire Resistant.”
If you have a metallic tree, be aware that you must never use electric lights on those, because they can become charged and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.
When setting up your tree, keep it away from fireplaces, radiators, or portable heaters. Always cut a few inches off the trunk of your tree to expose the fresh wood and allow water absorption, preventing drying and a serious fire hazard. Check that the stand is filled with water daily, because heated rooms can dry out live trees rapidly.
Check all tree lights — even brand new ones — before hanging them on your tree. Make sure all the bulbs work and that there are no frayed wires, broken sockets, or loose connections. Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use. To hold lights in place, string them through hooks or insulated staples, not nails or tacks. Never pull or tug lights to remove them.
Outdoor electric decorations should be plugged into circuits with ground fault circuit interrupters to avoid potential shocks. Get in the habit of turning off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.
When trimming your tree, carefully choose flame-resistant materials. Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Remove all wrapping papers, bags and bows from under the tree after gifts are opened.
If you’re going to use your fireplace to enhance the holiday atmosphere, be sure to remove all greens, papers, and other decorations from the fireplace area. Check to see that the flue is open. Do not burn gift wrap paper in the fireplace. A flash fire may result, as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.
When preparing candles, choose sturdy candle holders that keep the candles well secured in place. Ideally, flame-protective, non-combustible (glass or metal) shades or globes should be used. Place candles at least four feet away from curtains, draperies, blinds, kitchen cabinets and bedding, and secure hair, clothing and loose sleeves when lighting candles.
It is best to extinguish candles when they burn within two inches of the holder. Lit candles should never be left unattended, and should always be placed, along with other supplies — such as matches and oils — well out of the reach of children or pets. If your family plans to light multiple candles, be aware of the high amount of heat the candles generate. Create a safe place in the house where multiple candles can be lit.
This holiday season, as you fill your home with warmth and light, know that you have done your part to keep your family safe.
