FIRE PREVENTION & SAFETY TIPS:

Warnings of Fire, Other Hazards Related to Holiday Decorating

Christmas trees are involved in about 300 fires annually.  This results in an average of 20 deaths, 40 injuries and about $8 million in property damage and loss.  In addition, there are nearly 15,000 candle-related fires each year, which result in 170 deaths and $327 million in property loss.

When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant."  Although this label does not mean the tree won't catch fire, it does indicate the tree is more resistant to burning.

When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness.  A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches and do not break when bent between fingers.  The bottom of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.

In homes with small children, take special care to avoid sharp or breakable decorations, keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children who could swallow or inhale small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food that may tempt a child to eat them.

Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as UL or ETL/ITSNA.  Use only newer lights that have thicker wiring and are required to have safety fuses to prevent the wires from overheating.

Keep burning candles within sight.

Keep lighted candles away from items that can burn easily, such as trees, other evergreens, decorations, curtains and furniture

Always use non-flammable holders and keep away from children and pets

Extinguish all candles before you go to bed or leave the house

Prevent Cooking Fires  "Watch what you heat"

• Don't ever leave cooking unattended.

• Turn off appliances once cooking is complete

• Unplug electrical devices when they are not in use

• Clean appliances before cooking

• Keep flammable objects away from the stove

• Have a current working fire extinguisher in the kitchen and know how to use it

• As always make sure your smoke detectors are in working order and that the batteries are good.  The Windham Fire rescue department recommends changing the batteries 2 times a year and replacing detectors every 10 years.

Candle Safety Tips:

A candle is an open flame.  It can easily ignite combustibles nearby.  Candles caused 4% of the home fires in 2000-2004, 7% of the associated deaths and 12% of the associated injuries.  More than half started when something that could burn was too close to the candle.  An earlier study found that candles used for light caused one third of the fatal candle fires.

• Place candles in sturdy, nonflammable holders (metal, glass, ceramic) that are large enough to collect dripping wax
• Always keep candles out of the reach of children and pets
• Always attend burning candles.  Extinguish all candles before leaving the room or going to sleep
• Do not carry a lit candle during a power outage; use a flashlight instead
• Keep candle wicks trimmed to 1/4 inch and extinguish when the flame gets too high.  Once the candle cools down, re-trim the wick to 1/4 inch.  This keeps the candle burning slower and with less smoke
• Do not use lighted candles on or near a Christmas tree
• Consider using flameless candles.  This alternative to traditional candles allows you to enjoy the glow of a real candle without the hazards of smoke, melting wax, or fire.  Battery powered flameless candles can be practically indistinguishable from real candles to the casual observer, with options including real wad, flickering glow, and a variety of pleasing scents.
• Never leave a child unattended in a room with alit candle.
• Keep candles at least 1 foot away from things that can burn, like curtains, paper, and bedding