IN Peters Township December 2018/January 2019 | Page 16

HOLIDAY FIRE SAFETY TIPS
WRITTEN BY: DANIEL G. COYLE, PETERS TOWNSHIP FIRE CHIEF
As the holidays are fast approaching the Peters Township Fire Department urges residents to identify and
eliminate potential dangers from holiday lights, trees, and decorations. Each year during the holiday season,
hospital emergency rooms all over the United States treat thousands of people related to injuries sustained
preparing for or during the holidays. Electrical shocks, burns, falls, and lacerations are many of the injuries that
are directly related to holiday lighting, decorations, and—most notably—Christmas trees.
TIPS FOR TREES
LIVE TREES:
Check for freshness— tree should be green and
plush; needles should be pliable—shake tree and
check for needles that are falling off
Check tree trunk—should be sticky with resin
or sap; RE-CUT tree trunk at home in order to draw
water and use a large base with considerable area in
the basin for water
ARTIFICIAL TREES:
Check that tree is “fire retardant”—although this
listing will not guarantee a fire entirely, the rating will
at least resist open flames and will not catch fire as
easily as a live tree.
ALL TREES should be positioned away from
fireplaces, heater ducts, and in and around hallways
and doorways. Larger trees may need secured with
tie down straps to insure the tree does not fall on
children or pets. A tree should never be left with
the lighting energized while away or overnight
while sleeping.
FIREPLACES
• Use only dried hardwoods—fresh cut wood will
create resins that accumulate in chimneys.
• Never use pine— pine is soft and will emit
dangerous amounts of creosote
• Wood that is wet will burn slower causing
incomplete combustion and more smoke.
• Use colored fire salts sparingly—these salts contain
metal byproducts that can suddenly change in
flame height and cause a chimney malfunction.
Do not put newspapers or wrapping paper on an
established fire in the fireplace. These materials will
allow for a flash fire, which may ignite any buildup
of combustible materials in the chimney liners.
Never leave the fireplace unattended, for
any reason.
Do not place any combustibles within 36 to 48
inches from the fireplace—this includes wreaths,
trees, furniture, presents, decorations, etc.
Check the operations of the flue damper—make
sure the damper is open prior to igniting a fire in the
fireplace.
If a fire does occur in your chimney, immediately
call 911 and remove all occupants of the structure. Do
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PETERS TOWNSHIP
not attempt to close the damper or remove the logs
from the fireplace. Allow fire personnel to handle.
LIGHTING AND DECORATIONS
• Only use lighting that has been tested by a
recognized testing laboratory. Always use indoor
lights for indoor use only. Outdoor lighting has more
weather protection coatings for damp atmospheres.
• Check all wiring to ensure that the wires are not
cut or frayed. Wiring should not be brittle. Do not
overload the strands.
• Never run cords under carpets, under furniture, or
furniture legs. All cords should be clear of hallways
and doorways.
• Always unplug lighting before going to bed or
leaving your home. Never allow children to play
with the electrical circuits.
• For proper installation, you should include a power
strip with a built-in circuit breaker. All outdoor
lighting should have a GFI (ground fault interrupter)
in line of the lighting power.
• Only use decorations that are either non-flammable
or fire retardant.
CANDLES
• Candles should always be supervised, situated on
a stable surface, contained in a glass enclosure and
have a large base to collect the melted wax.
• Candles should not be placed in high traffic areas.
Keep away from children, pets, furniture, drapery,
blinds, live Christmas trees, flammable materials,
and the garage. Avoid using aerosol in any room
that have candles burning.
• When moving candles, make sure they have
been completely extinguished, and that the glass
enclosure has cooled. Children should never hold or
light candles for any reason.
Now is the best time to test all your smoke
detectors and practice your safety drills at home.
Remember that injuries or fires to your families
and your homes can be avoided, by practicing fire
safety this holiday season. If you have any questions
or concerns, contact the Peters Township Fire
Department at 724.941.4176. The Peters Township
Fire Department wishes you safe and happy holidays.