Who doesn’t love Christmas?
It is the celebration of Christ’s birth, and everyone is joyful and happy.
The spirit of giving is flooded throughout work and home.
Taking some simple steps to prevent a fire can keep the joy alive and prevent a disasterous outcome.
The Bay City Fire Marshal’s Office wants to make sure everyone stays safe this Christmas and New Year, so remember these important tips.
Candles are an important tradition, expecially during Christmas.
According to the US Fire Administration, candles account for almost half of the fires during the Christmas season.
Candles need to be kept at least a foot from anything that can burn and in a secure holder that will prevent the candle from tipping over.
The best candles are ones in a glass jar with a lid.
Once the candle is extinguished, the lid can be placed on the jar to prevent the heat from transferring to other materials that can burn.
Also, consider using battery operated candles that look and smell like real candles.
I love to drive around neighborhoods in town looking at all the homes that are decorated.
I even love to decorate my own home. Before installing any light strings or other powered decorations, inspect all of the wiring looking for freyed or pinched wires. Dispose of any damaged wiring, as it can cause arcing or shorting of the wiring causing a fire.
If you decorate the outside of your home, make sure all cords are plugged in tightly and use electrical tape on the connections to prevent moisture intrusion.
Be sure to not overload your circuits.
Read the manufacturer’s directions on how many light strings can be put together.
If you are unsure of how many light strings to plug together and into an outlet, consult with an electrician.
If you use a real Christmas tree in your home, be sure to keep it watered daily.
A dry tree will burn quickly and very hot.
A wet tree is not as flamable, but can still burn.
Make sure you maintain at least three feet between the tree and any heat source such as a space heater, radiator, fireplace, etc.
After Christmas or when the tree is dry, take the tree to the brush site or otherwise dispose of the tree.
Do not burn your tree in the fireplace as the sap will cause excessive creosote to build up in the chimney.
Pine should only be burned outside where permissible by law.
Open burning is not allowed during a burn ban or within the city limits.
Christmas time also means cooler weather.
Spaceheaters are important supplements to provide heat during the winter months.
Spaceheaters need to be listed (UL or FM listing label will be on the unit) and have tip-over protection.
The spaceheater needs to be plugged directly into an outlet and not on an extension cord.
Keep spaceheaters at least three feet from anything that can burn.
By adhering to these few tips, you can have a safe holiday season.
From the Bay City Fire Marshal’s Office, we wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
