LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — With Christmas just a few days away, the State Fire Marshal is alerting citizens to fire safety tips regarding Christmas trees.
Officials say that the holidays are a peak time for home fires caused by unattended candles and space heaters, electrical problems with worn lights, and dry Christmas trees.
“A dry Christmas tree is extremely flammable,” said State Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer. “These types of fires can turn deadly within seconds, allowing little time for escape. Check your tree’s water every day. Don’t risk the chance of fire and the loss of family, friends or your home.”
The top three days for home candle fires occur on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. In several cases, the fires result from people falling asleep or leaving their home with unattended candles left burning.
As a result, Michigan residents are urged to keep candles away from the tree, decorations, curtains, and furniture that can catch fire.
Citizens are also encouraged to practice the following safety tips:
- Choose a fresh tree, water it daily, and place it away from exits and at least three feet from any heat source (fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights).
- Never decorate your tree with lit candles; use lights that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory for indoor or outdoor use.
- Any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections should be replaced; read the manufacturers’ instructions for the maximum number of light strands to connect and don’t overload electrical outlets or electrical outlet strips.
- Always turn off tree lights and extinguish candles when going to bed or leaving your home.
A dry Christmas tree can fully ignite in less than a minute, according to a video shared by fire safety officials.
Citizens are also encouraged to take all precautions relating to smoke detectors by:
- Checking each smoke alarm monthly.
- Changing your smoke alarms every ten (10) years.
- Changing the batteries in 9-volt smoke alarms every year.
- Installing a smoke alarm on every level of your home and in every sleeping area.
- Having a prepared and practiced fire escape plan with two ways out of the home.
The Bureau of Fire Services encourages citizens with financial problems who need smoke detectors to call 517-241-8847.
More information can be found online at https://www.michigan.gov/lara/0,4601,7-154-89334_42271_92049—,00.html.
The National Fire Protection Association has also listed a list of their own holiday fire safety tips that can be viewed at this link.
