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Fire Prevention Press Release
Date: 12/11/08
From: Frank Smith, Fire Chief
HOLIDAY FIRE SAFETY
Each holiday season, fires injure more than 2,600 people and cause over $930 million in damage. The Wrightsville Beach Fire Department recommends a few simple precautions that can significantly reduce the risk of a joyous occasion becoming a tragedy.
PREVENTING HOLIDAY TREE FIRES
Fire safety precautions are important when keeping a live holiday tree in the house. A burning tree can fill a room with fire and deadly gases in less that one minute! Please click on the following link to view a short video illustrating the incredible intensity of a burning holiday tree.
http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/downloads/media/tree_fire.mpeg
· Selecting a holiday tree
Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard.
· Caring for your holiday tree
Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks. Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree. Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up too long. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times. Dry trees are extremely flammable!
· Do not place a holiday tree where it will block the exit if it catches fire
HOLIDAY LIGHTS
· Maintain your holiday lights
Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.
· Do not overload electrical outlets
Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires - they should not be warm to the touch.
· Do not leave holiday lights on while unattended
CANDLE CARE
Candles are one of the fastest growing causes of home fires. Candles have become very popular, and many people don’t realize how quickly disaster can strike if candles are not used safely. In one year candles started fires in 18,000 American homes killing 190 people, injuring 1,450 and causing $265 million in property damage. In most cases, candles caused house fires when they were left unattended, tipped over and ignited nearby combustibles. Candles have been a frequent cause of home fires here at Wrightsville Beach.
- Never leave burning candles unattended.
- Keep combustible materials away from candles.
- Don't put candles in a location where children or pets could knock them over.
- Use only non-flammable candleholders.
- Always trim the wicks before lighting new candles.
- NEVER put lit candles on or near a holiday tree.
HOLIDAY DECORATIONS
- Use only nonflammable decorations
All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heat vents. - Never put wrapping paper in a fireplace
It can throw off dangerous sparks and produce a chemical buildup in the home that could cause an explosion. - Artificial holiday trees
If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.
USE CAUTION WHEN PREPARING HOLIDAY MEALS
Please keep safety in mind while preparing holiday meals. Cooking fires are the leading cause of both home fires and home fire injuries. Each year hundreds of Americans are killed by home cooking fires and thousands more are injured. Cooking fires also cause roughly half a billion dollars of property damage annually.
It is easy to become preoccupied with entertaining guests, but it is essential to stay in the kitchen and closely monitor cooking operations. Most kitchen fires start when cooking has been left unattended.
For more information about holiday fire safety, please contact the Wrightsville Beach Fire Department.
HAVE A HAPPY AND SAFE HOLIDAY SEASON!
The following fire safety tips are ALWAYS important to protect you and your family from ALL types of home fires.
- Place working smoke alarms on every level of your home and in every sleeping area. Test smoke alarms monthly.
- Have a home escape plan and practice it. Plan two ways to escape from every room. Practice the escape plan at least twice a year.
For more information on the Smoking & Home Fires Campaign please visit www.usfa.fema.gov/smoking.
Putting out a cigarette the right way only takes seconds. It is up to you to make sure your cigarette is put out, all the way, every time.
If You Smoke… Put it Out. All the Way. Every Time.
Wrightsville Beach Fire Department
EMERGENCY: 911
Office: (910) 256-7920
www.townofwrightsvillebeach.com/fire.htm
SMOKE ALARMS SAVE LIVES!
Free Smoke Detectors & Fire Extinguishers In interest of promoting fire safety in our community, The Wrightsville Beach Fire Department is distributing free smoke detectors and fire extinguishers to Town residents & property owners.
A member of the fire department will deliver the equipment and explain the proper procedures for operating it.
Sign up for your delivery appointment today. Call the fire station at (910) 256-7920 or email Chief Smith at fsmith@towb.org.
Quantities are limited, so equipment will be distributed one per residence on a first come, first serve basis.
This program is sponsored by the Wrightsville Beach Volunteer Firefighters Association, Inc.