Office of the State Fire Marshal
State Fire Marshal Charles M. Duffy
Captain Jason Berry
Government and Media Relations
(360) 596-4010 – office
(360) 596-4015 – fax
http://www.wsp.wa.gov
*** For Immediate Release***
Date:
December 13, 2010
Contact:
Deputy State Fire Marshal Melissa Gannie
Phone:
360-596-3917
E-mail:
melissa.gannie@wsp.wa.gov
Fire Safety Tips for Christmas Trees
December is a month when many Washington residents stay at home, decorate for the Christmas holiday, and enjoy the company of family and friends. State Fire Marshal Charles Duffy says, “Fire safety should be a priority when putting up Christmas trees. Fires can start when you least expect them, but if you take the necessary precautions and avoid potential fire hazards you can reduce your family’s risk.”
The following tips are recommended:
Selecting a tree: To test for freshness, gently grasp a branch between your thumb and forefinger and then pull the needles toward you. Very few needles should come off in your hand. When the tree is shook or bounced, there should not be an excessive amount of green needles falling off, the loss of a few interior brown needles is normal.
Caring for fresh cut trees: Prior to placing the tree in the stand, cut ½ inch off of the trunk. This along with keeping the stand’s water reservoir full at all times will keep it from drying out.
Dried-out trees are highly flammable and should not be left in homes, garages, or against the outside of houses.
Protect your tree from fire hazards:
- Both artificial and fresh cut trees should be kept away from heat registers, space heaters, fire places, wood stoves, and other heat sources.
- Select lights appropriate for indoor use and listed by a testing laboratory (examples are UL or FM) and follow all manufacturer’s instructions.
- Ensure all electrical wiring is in good condition.
- Don’t overload circuits and avoid using extension cords.
- Turn lights off when you are not home and before going to sleep.
- Artificial trees should be labeled “fire-retardant.”
A video demonstrating a Christmas tree fire is available on the United States Fire Administration website at http://www.usfa.dhs.gov/safety/tips/treefir.shtm. For additional fire safety tips visit the Washington State Patrol – Office of the State Fire Marshal website at http://www.wsp.wa.gov/fire/firemars.htm.
The Office of the State Fire Marshal is a Bureau of the Washington State Patrol, providing fire and life safety services to the citizens of Washington State including inspections of state licensed facilities, plan review of school construction projects, licensing of fire sprinkler contractors and pyrotechnic operators, training Washington State’s firefighters, and collecting emergency response data.
###
