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Holiday Fire Safety08:59AM / Wednesday, December 10, 2008
The Pittsfield Fire Department would like to remind everyone this holiday season to keep fire safety in mind. During the 2007-2008 winter holiday season there were 1,624 residential structure fires with 9 civilian deaths, 43 civilian injuries, 65 fire service injuries & $28.2 million loss in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Electric Holiday Lights
Before plugging in newly purchased electrical decorations, or those you've used during previous seasons, carefully inspect each decoration. Cracked sockets, frayed, loose or bare wires, and loose connections may cause serious electric shock or start a fire. Replace damaged items with new decorations that bear the UL Mark. The green UL Mark means the light strings should be used only indoors. The red UL Mark indicates the light strings can be used both inside and out.
Make sure to unplug light strings and electrical decorations before replacing light bulbs or fuses, and keep light strings and other electrical decorations away from children's reach. Electrical decorations aren't toys and could produce a deadly electric shock or cause a fire if misused. Make sure you keep light strings away from pets as well.
Trees
1. Water the live tree every day.
2. Buy a cut tree as fresh as possible. A newly cut tree can stay green for several weeks.
3. Never use a cut tree in a public place, such as an office, lobby, or restaurant.
4. Always shut off the lights overnight and when you leave your home.
5. Never use lit candles as decorations.
6. Use a “non-tip” style tree stand.
7. Make sure the tree is at least three feet from fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, heating vents and other sources of heat.
Cooking
When cooking make sure to wear short or tight fitting sleeves, loose fitting clothes can easily catch on fire. Never throw water or use an extinguisher on a grease fire. Water will only spread the fire and the force of the extinguisher can splash flaming grease out of the pan. Don’t leave items unattended on the stove, and make sure your home is equipped with working smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and fire extinguishers that bear the UL Mark.
If you have any further questions about fire safety please call the Pittsfield Fire Department at 413-448-9764. |
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