Town Fire Marshal Offers Christmas Safety Tips

Town Fire Marshal George Lockwood is reminding residents to exercise care and caution when displaying Christmas decorations to avoid potential safety hazards.

Mr Lockwood advises that before natural Christmas trees are set up, the trunk should be sawed off at least one inch above the original cut, set in a stand, and have hot water added to the stand’s reservoir. Cool water should be used in successive waterings. The water level in the tree stand should be maintained above the cut in the tree trunk. Watering the tree keeps it fresh and more resistant to fire.

Natural trees with root balls should have the root balls moistened daily.

Trees should be held upright in sturdy stands. Guy wires should be used to steady oversized trees.

A one-gallon water capacity is recommended for tree stands. Water levels should be monitored daily, with water added, if needed. Trees may consume between one quart and one gallon of water daily.

Natural Christmas trees should remain indoors only as long as they are fresh. A maximum indoor stay of 10 days is suggested for cut trees.   

 The fire marshal says that all trees and decorations must be located a safe distance from heat sources such as heaters, fireplaces, stoves, television sets, and candles. Trees should never be decorated with candles.

Overloaded electrical outlets and faulty electrical wires are a common cause of holiday-related accidents. Worn cords and plugs should be replaced. Avoid putting too many plugs into one outlet. Multi-outlet power strips should be employed when using many electrical items.

All electric lighting equipment should be in good condition, and should be labeled as having been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory. Lighting should be turned off, or, better yet, disconnected when the area is unattended, especially when people are asleep in the building.

 Christmas trees should not block the exitways of buildings.