Fire department offers holiday fire safety tips

Published Dec. 17, 2009
By 22nd Civil Engineer Squadron Fire Department

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- According to the U.S. Fire Administration, fires during the holiday season kill more than 400 people, injure 1,650 people and cause more than $990 million in damage. The administration and the McConnell fire department would like to pass on some life-saving tips to ensure Team McConnell families have a safe and happy holiday.

Prevent holiday tree fires

· Families should take extra precaution when keeping real trees in their homes. A burning tree can rapidly fill a room with fire and deadly gases.
· When selecting a holiday tree, make sure the needles on fresh trees are green; they don't break and are hard to pull back from the branches. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. If the tree is dried out, it is a fire hazard.
· Don't place the tree close to heat sources. Heat will dry out the tree making is more easy to catch on fire. Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree. Do not put a fresh-cut tree up too early because the tree will dry out after two weeks and keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.
The best way to dispose of a tree is by taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away by a community pick-up service. At McConnell, two open containers will be placed in the youth center parking lot in base housing from Dec. 22 to Jan. 12 for real tree disposal only. The trees will be recycled.
Families who use and artificial tree, should make sure it is flame retardant.

Prevent decoration hazards

· Before families put up lights, they should inspect them for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets and excessive wearing.
· Do not overload electrical outlets and link more than three strands of decorations together.
· Do not leave holiday lights on unattended. All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heat vents.
· Do not put lit candles on a tree.
· Never put wrapping paper in a fire place. Base housing will have a bulk refuse pick-up Jan. 5.
· Finally, make sure smoke alarms are installed on every level of the home, and test them monthly. Know when and how to call for help, and remember to practice a family escape plan.