During this time of year people should take specific steps to reduce the likelihood of a fire in their home. Due to extra decorations, use of various heating sources, and entertaining we experience different kinds of fire and safety dangers of which residents need to be aware.

Safety Tips: Suggestions from NFPA and CCFD

Home Heating 

• In 2002, heating equipment was involved in an estimated 45,500 home structure fires reported to U.S. fire departments. These fires caused an estimated 220 civilian fire deaths, 990 civilian fire injuries, and $449 million in direct property damage (NFPA stats). 
• All types of common heating equipment are involved in home fires: portable electric heaters, wood stoves, fireplaces with inserts, portable kerosene heaters and room gas heaters. 
• Turn on central heating using the thermostat while you can observe the unit working for a period of time. Waiting for it to come in the middle of the night while everyone is asleep can dangerous if the unit malfunctions. 
• Common causes of  home heating fires are: lack of regular cleaning leading to creosote build-up, in wood-burning devices and associated chimneys and connectors; failing to give space heaters space by installing or placing them too close to combustibles; basic flaws in the construction or design of wood burning heating equipment; and fueling errors involving liquid- or gas-fueled heating equipment. 

Wood Burning Devices

• Fireplaces or chimneys rank first in the number of fires among types of heating equipment. Most of these were caused by creosote build-up (NFPA stats). 

• Have the chimney checked by a specialist each year. 

• Clear the area around the hearth to remove debris, decorations, etc. 

• Never use lighter fluid or flammable liquids to start a fire. 

• Never burn cardboard, trash, construction materials, decorations, etc. in fireplace or wood stove. 

• Use wood only in fireplaces or woodstoves approved for wood burning. Using wood in a fireplace made only for a gas long has caused a number of fires in southern Nevada .

• Keep air inlets open and never restrict air supply to fire places. Otherwise, creosote buildup can occur leading to a chimney fire. 

• Keep glass doors or curtains closed while a fire burns. 

• Soak hot ashes in water overnight and dispose of them in a metal container outside the home. 

• Use fire-resistant materials on walls around wood stoves. 

• Put out the fire when going to bed or leaving home. 

Portable Electric (“Space”) Heaters

• Portable and fixed space heaters, including wood stoves, cause a disproportionate share of the home heating fire deaths. Space heaters were involved in 25% of the home heating fires but 74% of the deaths (NFPA stats). 

• The leading cause of space heater fires was combustibles too close to the heater, except for wood stoves, where the leading cause was creosote build-up, and fixed electric space heaters, where the leading cause was equipment unattended. 

• Two of every three home heating fires in the U.S. in 1999, and five of every six related deaths, were attributed to space heating equipment (NFPA stats). 

• Place space heaters at least 3’ away from combustibles, i.e. furniture, decorations, etc. and never put one in a room where someone sleeps.

• Plug a space heater directly into an outlet; never use an extension cord.

Candle Safety

• During 2002, an estimated 18,000 home fires started by candles were reported to public fire departments. These fires resulted in an estimated 130 civilian deaths, 1,350 civilian injuries and an estimated direct property loss of $333 million (NFPA stats).  
• Nationally, there are many more home fires caused by candles than Christmas trees. Candle fires occur twice as often in December as any other month (NFPA stats).
• Extinguish all candles before leaving home or going to bed. 
• Use candle holders that are sturdy, won’t tip over easily, are made from material that can’t burn, and are large enough to collect dripping wax. 
• Place candle holders on a sturdy, uncluttered surface. 
• Keep candles away from decorations and other combustible materials. 
• Locate candles away window blinds and curtains. 
• Keep candles out of reach of children and pets. 
• Never leave a child unattended in a room with a candle nor allow a child to sleep in a room with a lit candle. 
• Do not allow teens or children to have candles in their bedrooms. 
• Do not carry a lit candle if, at all, possible. Don’t use a lit candle when searching for items in a confined space. 
• Never use a candle for a light when checking pilot lights or fueling kerosene heaters or lanterns.

Christmas Trees and Decoration Safety

• Purchase a tree that has been kept in water. 
• Bounce tree on ground to make sure needles are intact and do not fall off easily. 
• Needles should bend easily and not break. 
• Before leaving lot, have the bottom inch of the tree cut off so that the tree will accept water easily when you arrive home. 
• Place tree in water as soon as possible after arriving home -within one hour of purchase. Otherwise, cut another inch off the bottom. 
•  Locate tree and decorations away from heat sources (fire place, space heater, etc.) and heat vents. 
• Check water level in tree stand several times a day for the next few days and replenish as needed. 
• Test electric lights before installing on tree to make sure they work correctly and safely. If a strand flickers or gives off smoke, or goes on and off as you move the lights, discard and replace with a new set. 
• Use only indoor lights on trees and decorations inside the house. 
• Connect only three sets of lights together on one outlet. 
• Never place candles on or near the tree. 
• Turn off lights before going to bed or leaving home.

Holiday Entertaining

• Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. When cooking for holiday visitors, remember to keep an eye on the range.
• Provide plenty of large, deep ashtrays and check them frequently. Cigarette butts can smolder in the trash and cause a fire, so completely douse cigarette butts with water before discarding, or flush them down the toilet. 
• After a party, always check on, between, and under upholstery and cushions and inside trashcans for cigarette butts that may be smoldering. 
• Keep matches and lighters up high, out of sight and reach of children (preferably in a locked cabinet). When smokers visit your home, ask them to keep their smoking materials with them so young children do not touch them. 
• Test your smoke alarms before guests arrive and let guests know what your fire escape plan is.

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