Detroit Fire Shares Holiday Decoration Safety Tips. Families are currently decorating their houses and trees for Christmas, which is less than a month away. However, there are certain considerations to make with those decorations, according to the Detroit Fire Department.
A third of house decoration fires are caused by candles, and over two out of five fires are caused by decorations that are placed too close to a heat source, according to the National Fire Protection Association. According to the group, electrical issues also account for nearly one-third of Christmas tree fires.
Fire departments in the United States responded to an average of 835 home fires caused by other holiday decorations and 155 home fires caused by Christmas trees between 2018 and 2022, according to the association.
The Detroit Fire Department demonstrated how quickly a Christmas tree can catch fire on Tuesday and provided advice on how to prevent house fires caused by holiday decorations.
Capt. Edward Davis stated in a news release that “it only takes a few breaths in a room filled with smoke for a person to become unconscious, which usually results in a fatality.” “We want to make sure everyone who brings a live tree into their home takes the proper precautions to ensure their holiday doesn’t end up in disaster.”
How to prevent Christmas tree fires
- To determine whether a live tree is still fresh, check to see if the needles fall off when you touch the branches.
- Before submerging the trunk in water, try to trim two inches from the base.
- After being carried home from the store, tree lot, or tree farm, live trees must be watered every day because this is crucial.
- A minimum of three feet should separate the tree from any heat sources, including lights, radiators, fireplaces, candles, and heat vents.
- Make sure you use lights that are marked for indoor usage if you plan to illuminate the tree indoors.
- To find out how many lights can be put together, consult the manufacturer’s instructions and replace any damaged light strands.
- Never use candles to light a tree.
- Before turning in for the night, make sure the tree lights are off.
- Make sure to take your tree outside once you’re finished constructing it. Trees that have dried out should never be leaned against a house or left inside a garage.
How to prevent other holiday decoration fires
- Candles should be kept away from combustible objects and decorations.
- Certain lights are meant for outdoor use, while others are not.
- To prevent damage to the cables, hang lights with clips rather than nails.
- You need a path escape in the event of a fire, so keep decorations away from windows and doors.
- Before hosting visitors, test your smoke detectors and let them know how to exit in case of an emergency.
- Pets and children should not be around lit candles.
- Matches and lighters should be kept out of children’s reach.
- Request that smokers smoke outdoors and supply large, deep ashtrays.
- When you leave the room, blow out any candles that are lit, and check again before going to bed.
- Before you leave the house or go to bed, turn off any electrical lights and decorations.
How to prevent candle fires
- When you retire to bed or leave the room, blow out all the candles.
- Candles should not be lit in bedrooms or other places where individuals might nod off and fail to extinguish them.
- Candles should be kept at least one foot away from combustible objects.
- A child should never be left alone in a room where a candle is burning.
- Store lighters and matches in a locked cabinet, high up, and out of reach.
- Make use of candlesticks that are stable and unyielding.
- Place candlesticks on a level, clutter-free surface.
- When lighting a candle, use caution and ensure that your hair and any loose clothing won’t catch fire.
- Avoid burning a candle completely; extinguish it before the flame approaches the holder or container.
- If oxygen is used in the house, never use a candle.
- In the event of a power outage, keep flashlights handy and avoid using candles.
