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Tips for a Fire Safe Christmas
Friday, December 24th, 2010

The chances of fires occurring in our homes at Christmas is increased due to more than normal numbers of people in our homes, the inevitable increase in quantities of paper, decorations, boxes, temporary lighting, sources of ignition and Christmas trees. In addition with the extra amount of alcohol consumed and cigarettes smoked, the chance of fires in homes is even more likely.

Here are a few practical tips for reducing the risks:

Decorations

  • Check lights before use, ensure all bulbs are tight and in place, that there are no missing bulbs or loose wires and make sure you unplug when room is unoccupied.
  • Keep tree lights away from combustible decorations.
  • Dispose of wrapping paper immediately and don’t let small children open presents alone especially if you have open fires.
  • Do not use real candles on trees.
  • Be particularly careful with candles, fix in correct holders away from children and decorations.
  • Make sure tea lights are on a non-combustible surface, they get hot underneath and could start a fire.
  • Do not spray trees with hairspray if they catch fire they will burn fiercely.

Electrics

  • Plugs for trees should be fitted with a 3 amp fuse, no more.
  • Do not overload extension cables with more electrical equipment than the
  • With extension cables on reels, always unwind all of the cable off the reel, they can easily overheat and set on fire.
  • Do not use batteries out of smoke alarms to use for presents, without a battery a smoke alarm would not operate putting your life in danger.

If a fire does break out

  • Close the door of the room where the fire is located, this will help to contain the fire and restrict the spread of poisonous fumes.
  • Warn the household and get everyone out.
  • Call the Fire Service by dialling 911.
  • Do not re-enter the premises for any reason.

Further advice

Further advice can be obtained from your local fire station.

Have a safe and happy Christmas.  

Article Credits: Mike Davies is the director of UK fire consultancy 1666 London Limited. He was a serving fire officer for 30 years and is passionate helping businesses comply with Fire Regulations. More importantly, Mike genuinely cares about people’s safety from fire and helping people understand the dangers of fire.

Contact details are:

Mike’s email address mike@1666london.co.uk

His bio can be found at http://1666london.co.uk/About/Mike-Davies.aspx

Link to company  http://1666london.co.uk

Live Safe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making and fire and life safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. Live Safe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable. Live Safe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.

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Decorate Safely with Trees and Lights
Wednesday, December 8th, 2010

Tis the season for holiday decorating. Keep your tree, lights, and other decorations from becoming fire hazards with these simple fire-safe tips.

Before you buy a natural, cut tree, check it for freshness. Shedding needles are a sign of a dry tree which can be a serious hazard in your home.  Dry trees can burn like a torch and spread a fire in your home. Test a tree’s freshness by bending a sampling of needles in half. Fresh needles won’t break when bent and won¹t be easy to pull off the branch.

Decorate safely with trees and lights!

Once your tree is home, keep it outside until you are ready to decorate it. Just before bringing it in, cut off the base of the trunk, one to two inches, and place it in a stable base with an ample-sized water reservoir. Making a fresh cut on the trunk enhances water uptake so your tree will stay fresher longer. Heavy needle drop is an indication that your tree is getting dry. If you observe heavy needle drop before you want to remove your tree, limit the time it is lit to reduce the risk of fire.

Position your tree away from heat vents, space heaters, and out of exit ways. Check all lighting before you put it on the tree. Electric arcing of frayed or broken areas on lights, cords, and plugs causes half of Christmas tree fires. Throw damaged lights away. Do not chance repairing. No more than three sets of lights should be connected to a single extension cord.

Overloaded cords can start a fire. Keep all lights and electrical cords away from the water in the tree stand, and away from curtains and other flammable materials. Keep children and pets away from light strings and electrical decorations. Make sure you unplug all lights before leaving the house or going to sleep.

Use weatherproof lights and electrical cords to decorate outside. Remove them at the end of the season, as they are not designed to withstand prolonged exposure to weather and sunlight. If you purchase new lights or electrical cords, make sure they bear the initials of the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) to insure they conform to safety standards.

Candles are especially popular this time of year. Don’t use them on your tree or in window sills. Use electric candles with the UL label instead. If you burn candles, use fire proof holders and remove decorations or floral arrangements that are in or around the container. Always extinguish candles before you leave the room, house, or go to sleep.

Do not burn trees, decorations, or wrapping paper in your fireplace. A flash fire may result as they can ignite suddenly and may exceed the capacity of your fireplace.

Have a safe and merry holiday season.

Article Credits: Fire Marshal Alan Perkins, CFPS, is a 32-year veteran of the fire service. A Certified Fire Protection Specialist through the National Fire Protection Association and a member of several similar safety organizations. Perkins is the Fire Marshal for the Washington Township Fire Department, Dublin, Ohio. For more information, contact: Leslie Dybiec, Public Information Officer Phone: (614) 652-3928 Fax: (614) 766-2507 or ldybiec@wtwp.com

Images provided by www.google.com.

Live Safe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making and fire and life safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. Live Safe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable. Live Safe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.

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Don’t Get Burned During the Holiday
Wednesday, December 1st, 2010

As families begin to plan festivities and coordinate travel arrangements, it is important to consider some fire safety tips that can help ensure a safe holiday with loved ones. The holiday season is right around the corner.

According to the U.S. Fire Administration, fires during the holidays claim the lives of more than 400 Americans, injure 1,650 and cause more than $990 million in damages. In addition, the National Fire Protection Association notes that Christmas trees are involved in more than 400 fires annually, which highlights the importance of safety practices during the upcoming holiday season.

Christmas Trees

Ensure a safe and happy holiday - properly maintain your cut tree. Water your tree!

Christmas trees provide a beautiful focal point for many homes during the holidays, but can also pose a danger. It is important to select a tree that will help prevent fires from spreading rapidly throughout a residence. A lack of knowledge on how to correctly pick a Christmas tree and safely decorate your home can be costly and even harmful.

When picking a cut tree, make sure the needles are fresh—they should not easily break if the tree has just been cut. Bounce the tree trunk on the ground to check if it is a fresh tree. If too many needles fall to the ground, the tree is a potential fire hazard. If a flocked tree is your choice, make sure the flocking is fire retardant and non-toxic.

When placing a tree in your home or business, keep it away from heat sources such as fireplaces and heater vents, as the dry air from these sources will dry out the tree quicker. It is best to keep the Christmas tree for no more than two weeks, but you can extend the freshness of your tree by mounting the tree in a stand that can be filled with water. When the tree is ready to be disposed of, take it to a recycling center or have it picked up by a service.

When lighting your tree, make sure to use low wattage bulbs and decorations. These produce minimal heat and lessen the sources for an ignition. Never use candles or other flames on or around a tree. At bedtime or when leaving the tree unattended for extended periods of time, it is best to turn off the lights.

If you are going to display a tree for a long period, an artificial or metallic tree is preferred, but make sure it is flame retardant to lessen the chances of a fire.

Holiday Lights and Decorations

While preparing to beat the neighborhood competition with the best light display, it’s important to check the holiday lights each year. Before putting up lights, keep an eye out for loose wires, broken sockets or excessive wear and tear. Never overload electrical outlets, and periodically touch the wires to check the temperature—they should not be warm.

When selecting extension cords, pick the one designated for exterior use. These cords use heavier wiring and will be less likely to overheat. Avoid stringing lights and electrical cords through areas where water can collect and submerge the wiring.

When choosing holiday decorations, ensure the label indicates that the decoration is nonflammable or flame retardant. Also, never dispose of wrapping paper in a fireplace as it may emit dangerous sparks and large embers.

Candles

The increased use of candles during the holidays can pose a fire hazard. It is best to avoid lighting candles, but if they are lit, employ safety practices to keep your loved ones away from harm.

Make sure that candles are in stable holders and cannot be easily knocked down by pets or children. Never leave candles burning alone in a residence, and make sure candles are located within sight.

Keep candles away from combustibles such as Christmas trees, curtains, clothing or decorations. Do not use candles in sleeping areas and extinguish them before going to sleep.

The holiday season is a time to enjoy some quality time with your loved ones, but it’s also a great chance to educate your family on fire safety. Test your smoke alarms and review your home escape plan in case of an emergency. Most importantly, employ safety practices to ensure a safe and joyous holiday season for you and your loved ones.

For more information on Christmas Tree Fire Hazards, please visit the U.S. Fire Administration website.

Images provided by Google Images.

Live Safe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making and fire and life safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. Live Safe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable. Live Safe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.

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Halloween Safety Tips
Monday, October 25th, 2010

Scary costumes? Check.

Bags of candy? Check.

Halloween decorations? Check.

The countdown to Halloween is well underway but here are a few considerations for your checklist before you send your little ghosts and goblins out for the evening:

How safe is the costume? Many boys love dressing up as the Grim Reaper or some ghoul but be sure if their costume is all black that you put a few pieces of light-reflective tape on the front and back of their costume. (To make it “cool” you can design it as some symbol or wording) You can also purchase some glow bracelets or necklaces. Most schools won’t allow them to bring any weapon, spear or walking stick to school so find out first what’s permissible.

Try to use make-up rather than a mask for your kids. A mask can slip making it hard for them to see as they’re walking and also the rubber or plastic inside the mask can make it hard for them to breathe.

Be sure that if the costume is floor length that’s it’s not so long it and can cause them to trip. Check for loose cords or strings around their neck that could get caught on something as they’re walking.

Are they ready to go it alone? At some point it just won’t be cool to be out trick-or-treating with mom or dad. So how do you know if they’re ready to go out on their own? A lot depends on where they are going. An apartment building or housing community located on a cul-de-sac is much safer than a busy road or remote area where there’s little lighting and the homes are spread out. Consider driving them to a housing complex where you wait at the end of the street while they go trick-or-treating. Be sure you know their route, who they are going out with (always go in a group) and they have a cell phone in case of an emergency. Establish a curfew and a few times that they must check in with you.

Host a party – Rather than having them go out trick-or-treating, consider hosting a party. You’ll know where they are, who they’re with and can monitor what they eat.

Check the loot – Kids should be reminded to only eat candy that’s unopened and in its original wrapper. Children under five years of age should not be allowed to eat hard candy, caramels, popcorn or items with nuts as these are all choking hazards.

Most importantly, remind your child never to get into a car with someone they don’t know. If someone approaches them, and they feel at all uncomfortable, explain to them that they should go to the nearest well-lit home and ring the doorbell.

Posted by Alison Rhodes, also known as the The Safety Mom , has exploded onto the national scene as the preeminent voice on safety, wellness and healthy living. From environmental toxins and healthy eating to sports injuries and cyber bullying, The Safety Mom is always on the lookout for the issues facing children – newborns to teens – as well as the entire family.  Children, Family

Live Safe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making and fire and life safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. Live Safe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable. Live Safe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.

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Have a Fire-safe halloween
Monday, October 25th, 2010

Costumes, decorations, glowing pumpkins and treats are all part of what makes Halloween fun for all ages.  Whether you are hosting a party, helping your little one with their costume, or decorating your home for beggar’s night, following these few simple tips will help make your Halloween a safer one.

Costumes  

  • Purchase only labeled flame-resistant or flame-retardant costumes, wigs and masks. These labels do not mean these items won’t catch fire. Instead, they indicate that these fabrics will resist burning and should extinguish quickly, once removed from the ignition source.
  • Instruct your child to stay away from open flames or other heat sources. Review with them the principle of “stop, drop, and roll” (stop immediately, drop to the ground covering your face with your hands, and roll over and over to extinguish flames).
  • Keep dried flowers, cornstalks, crepe paper, and other highly flammable decorations well away from all open flames and heat sources, including light bulbs, candles, heaters, etc.  The National Fire Protection Association reports that decorations for special events like Halloween accounted for an average of 1,150 home fires each year and that most of these fires could be attributed to candles.
  • Keep Jack-O-Lanterns and electric lamps or lights far away from drapes, other decorations, high traffic areas, or areas where children and pets will be.
  • When decorating walkways and yards, use flashlights or battery-operated candles in place of wax candles. They are much safer for visitors, whose costumes may brush against the lighting.

Beggar’s Night and Parties

  • Take a flashlight (with fresh batteries) along to help you see and be seen.
  • Help your children locate the exits and escape routes in the buildings and homes where they attend parties.
  • If you are hosting a party, keep exits clear of decorations, ensuring nothing blocks escape routes.
  • Add reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility in the dark.

Article Credits: Fire Marshal Alan Perkins, CFPS, is a 32-year veteran of the fire service. A Certified Fire Protection Specialist through the National Fire Protection Association and a member of several similar safety organizations. Perkins is the Fire Marshal for the Washington Township Fire Department, Dublin, Ohio. For more information, contact: Leslie Dybiec, Public Information Officer Phone: (614) 652-3928 Fax: (614) 766-2507 or ldybiec@wtwp.com

Live Safe Foundation is an Ohio based non-profit organization (501c3), and leading grassroots movement, devoted to making and fire and life safety education, awareness initiatives and life saving tools available on a broad basis to communities, campuses, and institutions in an effort to reduce national fire fatalities and fire losses. Live Safe aims to help finance fire safety education where means are otherwise unavailable. Live Safe is developing and sponsoring programs to help groups find the resources needed to advance individual and community fire safety.

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Have a Fire-Safe Halloween
Thursday, October 15th, 2009

Costumes, decorations, glowing pumpkins and treats are all part of what makes Halloween fun for all ages.  Whether you are hosting a party, helping your little one with their costume, or decorating your home for beggar’s night, following these few simple tips will help make your Halloween a safer one.

Costumes

  • Purchase only labeled flame-resistant or flame-retardant costumes, wigs and masks. These labels do not mean these items won’t catch fire. Instead, they indicate that these fabrics will resist burning and should extinguish quickly, once removed from the ignition source.
  • Instruct your child to stay away from open flames or other heat sources. Review with them the principle of “stop, drop, and roll” (stop immediately, drop to the ground covering your face with your hands, and roll over and over to extinguish flames).
Trick or Treat

Trick or Treat

Decorations

  • Keep dried flowers, cornstalks, crepe paper, and other highly flammable decorations well away from all open flames and heat sources, including light bulbs, candles, heaters, etc.  The National Fire Protection Association reports that decorations for special events like Halloween accounted for an average of 1,150 home fires each year and that most of these fires could be attributed to candles.
  • Keep Jack-O-Lanterns and electric lamps or lights far away from drapes, other decorations, high traffic areas, or areas where children and pets will be.
  • When decorating walkways and yards, use flashlights or battery-operated candles in place of wax candles. They are much safer for visitors, whose costumes may brush against the lighting.
Jack O'Lanterns

Jack O'Lanterns

Beggar’s Night and Parties

  • Take a flashlight (with fresh batteries) along to help you see and be seen.
  • Help your children locate the exits and escape routes in the buildings and homes where they attend parties.
  • If you are hosting a party, keep exits clear of decorations, ensuring nothing blocks escape routes.
  • Add reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility in the dark.

Wishing you a Fire-Safe Halloween!

Guest Contributor & Author: Fire Marshal Alan Perkins, Washington Township Fire Department, Dublin, Ohio. For more information, contact: Leslie Dybiec, Public Information Officer Phone: (614) 652-3928 Fax: (614) 766-2507 or ldybiec@wtwp.com.

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