Christmas Tree Safety

According to the National Fire Protection Association, from 2000 to 2004, Christmas tree fires caused an average of 14 civilian deaths, 21 civilian injuries, and $16.8 million in property damage per year. On average, one in every 22 reported home Christmas tree fires resulted in death. Additionally, electrical malfunctions, candles, heaters, and children playing with fire started many of these preventable tragic fires.

Steps to reduce the chance of fires from real and artificial trees:

      When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green with needles that are hard to pull from the branches. The trunk butt of a fresh tree should be sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.

        Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks.

     When purchasing a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant. Look for the label "Fire Resistant." Although this label does not mean the tree won't catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.

        Place your tree away from heat sources and escape exits.

   Decorate your Christmas tree (real or artificial) only with flame-retardant or non-combustible decorations.

    Make sure your tree stand is wide-based and sturdy. This will reduce the chances of the tree   toppling over.

     Remember to water the tree daily. Do not let a live tree dry out. Always use a tree stand with a water reservoir and keep the reservoir filled.

       Never use candles on or near the tree.

      Safely dispose of your tree before it becomes dangerously dry. The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away by a community pick-up service.

        Never burn tree or tree parts in your fireplace.

Christmas Light Safety

        Purchase only UL approved lights.

        Check all indoor and outdoor lights for frayed cords, and replace old lights if necessary.

        Never use lights as decorations with an empty socket.

        Lights should not touch combustible materials.

     Before using lights outdoors, check the label to be sure the lights have been certified for outdoor use.

        Turn off all Christmas lights, prior to leaving your home or going to bed.

        Consider using mini lights. These are the safest because they produce less heat.

Decorations:

        Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree.

     Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children.

     In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable. Keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to avoid the child swallowing or inhaling these small pieces.

        Avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food. These may tempt a child to eat them.

        Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with spun glass "angel hair."

    Follow container directions carefully to avoid lung irritation while decorating with artificial snow sprays.

APFD Safety Message Developed: 12/2014 

Thanksgiving Safety Tips - Cooking and More

The Asbury Park Fire Department offers the following safety tips, to ensure that all citizens and residents will enjoy a safe and festive Thanksgiving holiday. Unfortunately, fire safety and injury prevention guidelines are often overlooked during the holidays. Everyone needs to keep Safety First and by doing so our citizens, visitors and businesses can avoid tragedy and disruption of their holiday festivities.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) United States Fire Administration (USFA) issued a special report recently examining the characteristics of Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings. The report, Thanksgiving Day Fires in Residential Buildings, was developed by USFA's National Fire Data Center.

The report is based on 2006 to 2008 data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS). According to the report, an estimated 2,000 Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings occur annually in the United States, resulting in an estimated average of 5 deaths, 25 injuries, and $21 million in property loss. The leading cause of all Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings is, by far, cooking. Additionally, smoke alarms were not present in 20 percent of Thanksgiving Day fires that occurred in occupied residential buildings.

If your Thanksgiving plans include a Turkey Fryer, this is  another tip sheet by itself,click here for Turkey Fryer Safety Tips.

While these safety and cooking tips may not make Thanksgiving dinner taste any better--they will help to avoid potential disaster;

• Keep your family and overnight guests safe with a working smoke alarm on every level of the house, in each bedroom and in the halls adjacent to the bedrooms. Test smoke alarms monthly, and replace batteries at least once a year.

• Overnight guests should be instructed on your home’s fire escape plan and designated meeting place for your family.

• Have a fire extinguisher available not more than 10 feet from the stove, on the exit side of the room.

• A standard Class ABC multi-purpose dry chemical extinguisher is recommended. Know how to use your fire extinguisher.

• Start holiday cooking with a clean stove and oven.

• Keep the kitchen off limits to young children and adults who are not helping with food preparations. This will lessen the possibility of kitchen mishaps.

• When cooking, do not wear clothing with loose sleeves or dangling jewelry. Clothing can catch on fire and jewelry can become entangled with pot handles, causing spills and burns.

• Cook on the back burners when possible, and turn pot handles inward so they don’t extend over the edge of the stove.

• Never leave cooking unattended. If you must leave the kitchen while cooking, turn off the stove or have someone else watch what is being cooked. Unattended cooking is one of the top causes of home fires and fire-related injuries in Asbury Park.  According to the USFA; cooking is the leading cause of all Thanksgiving Day fires in residential buildings at 69 percent. Nearly all of these cooking fires (97 percent) are small, confined fires with limited damage.

• If you use a deep fryer, please, exercise extreme caution and follow manufacturer instructions.  The report from the USFA found that these cooking devices accounted for about 1% of Thanksgiving Day fires.

• Keep Thanksgiving decorations and kitchen clutter away from sources of direct heat.

• Candles are often part of holiday decorations. The Fire/EMS Department strongly encourages the use of battery powered candles and discourages the use of candles with an open flame.  If you use candles; they should never be left burning when you are away from home, or after going to bed. Candles should be placed where children will not be tempted to play with them, and where guests will not accidentally brush against them. The candleholder should be completely non-combustible and difficult to knock over. The candle should not have combustible decorations around it.

• If smoking is allowed inside, provide guests with large, deep ashtrays and check them frequently. After guests leave check inside, under upholstery, and in trash cans for cigarette butts that may be smoldering.
• Overnight guests should be briefed on the home escape plan and designated meeting place outside.

Working smoke alarms are required in all residences in Asbury Park.  Consider upgrading to a 10-year tamper proof with hush feature smoke alarm and never change a battery again.  If you can not afford to purchase an alarm you can call our Fire Prevention Division at 732-774-7400.  A firefighter will install a working smoke alarm in your home; free of charge.

The men and women of the Asbury Park Fire Department wish everyone a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving!!!