For Immediate Release
NEWBURY — As residents decorate their homes for the holidays, Chief Douglas Janvrin and the Newbury Fire Department would like to remind everyone to be mindful of several important safety tips.
“Whether you’re putting up a Christmas tree or stringing lights throughout your home, please remember to take the proper precautions to prevent injuries and fires,” Chief Janvrin said. “We hope that everyone has safe, happy and healthy holidays.”
According to the National Fire Protection Association, between 2012-2016, fire departments responded to an average of 170 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year. These fires caused an average of four deaths, 15 injuries, and $12 million in direct property damage annually.
In order to prevent injuries and damage, the Newbury Fire Department recommends that residents follow safety tips provided by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Christmas Trees
- Many artificial trees are fire resistant. If you buy one, look for a statement specifying this protection.
- Place trees away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources. Heated rooms dry trees out rapidly, creating fire hazards.
- Cut off about 2 inches of the trunk to expose fresh wood for better water absorption. Heated rooms dry trees out rapidly, creating fire hazards.
- Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.
Lights
- Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety. Identify these by the label from an independent testing laboratory.
- Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Discard damaged sets or repair them before using.
- Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord.
- Turn off all lights on trees and other decorations when you go to bed or leave the house. Lights could short and start a fire.
Candles
- Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens.
- Always use non-flammable holders.
- Keep candles away from other decorations and wrapping paper.
- Place candles where they cannot be knocked down or blown over.
Other Holiday Safety Tips
- Keep matches, lighters and candles out of reach of children.
- Avoid smoking near flammable decorations.
- Make an emergency plan to use if a fire breaks out anywhere in the home. See that each family member knows what to do. Practice the plan!
- Avoid wearing loose flowing clothes — particularly long, open sleeves — near open flames, like a fireplace, stove or candlelight table.
- Burning evergreens in the fireplace can also be hazardous. Dry greens burn like tinder. Flames can flare out of control, and send sparks flying into a room, or up the chimney to ignite creosote deposits.
For more information on holiday decoration safety tips, visit the National Fire Protection Association website or contact the Newbury Fire Department at 978-462-2282.
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