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Fire-safe for the holidays
By Tom Kiurski
Michigan is a great place to live during the holiday season. While I hereby reserve the right to change my mind in January, doesn't almost every holiday classic movie show some type of "White Christmas?" Visiting family and friends, the warmth of a fire in the fireplace and the beautiful decorations of the season are great memories for most of us. We must ask our communities to take fire safety into consideration as they prepare for the holidays. I know this time of year is busy for everyone, but talk to your fellow firefighters and let's get involved in safety. Talk to your service groups, homeowners associations, local newspapers and community access cable television, as well as your major newspapers and network television.
Let's start by looking at the centerpiece of the holiday season, the Christmas tree. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has found that, in a four-year study period, Christmas trees were the item first ignited in 310 cases in the average year. These fires caused an average of 14 civilian fire deaths, 40 injuries and over $16 million in direct property damage, and the statistics include both real and artificial trees.
Let your citizens know that if they choose a real tree and cut it down themselves, they should keep it outside until they are ready to bring it indoors to decorate. If they choose a real tree bought from a lot, a fresh cut should be made at the base of the tree before bringing it in to decorate: This makes it easier for the tree to absorb water, making it less likely to catch fire. Choose a sturdy stand for the tree, with a large reservoir for holding water. A real tree that is six-feet tall can take up to one gallon of water every two days.
If they opt for an artificial tree, they should pick one that is labeled as fire-retardant. This does not mean that the tree won't catch fire; it only means that it is less likely to catch fire, and will spread the fire more slowly than other trees. If they are going to get a metal tree, then they should not use electric lights on it (bad combination).
Regardless of which type of tree they choose, encourage them to keep the tree away from heaters, fireplaces, radiators, space heaters or any other heat source. As they take out their light sets for the tree, they should inspect them for signs of cracks or fraying. Discard damaged light sets and replace with newer ones. Lights should be listed by an independent testing agency, such as Underwrites Laboratories (UL). Use indoor-rated lights indoors and outdoor-rated lights outdoors. Unplug or turn off your tree lights when leaving the house or going to bed at night. Feel free to insert any fire response you have been a part of that involved fires in Christmas trees to make them aware of the problem on a local level.
Although I was never a part of the tradition of using real candles on Christmas trees, many people have fond memories of doing that. The risk is not worth it, and I never recall seeing candles on a tree. In the recent study period cited earlier, an average of 8% of the Christmas tree fires during the holiday season were ignited by candles. Candles need adult supervision, sturdy holders and need to be kept away from open flames and heat sources.
As your citizens begin to decorate their homes for the holiday, make sure they check smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors and review their family escape plan with their families. Make sure everyone knows how to open windows, call 911 and tell the dispatcher what type of help they need, and know the family meeting place. Have a fantastic, safe holiday season!
Tom Kiurski is a lieutenant, a paramedic, and the director of fire safety education for Livonia (MI) Fire & Rescue. His book, Creating a Fire-Safe Community: A Guide for Fire Safety Educators (Fire Engineering, 1999) is a guide for bringing the safety message to all segments of the community efficiently and economically.
