Fire officials offer sage advice during holiday season

  Fire officials are once again reminding residents to be mindful of fire safety during the holidays, particularly with Christmas trees.

  “Place your tree carefully so it doesn’t block any exits you might need in an emergency,” said State Fire Marshal Peter Ostroskey. “Although there are not a lot of Christmas tree fires, they are very serious when they do happen. The best way to prevent a Christmas tree fire is to water it well every day.”

  It is almost impossible to stop a tree fire as it only takes eight seconds for the flames to reach the ceiling. Less than 20 seconds later, a flashover would occur, igniting everything else in the room.

  According to John Machnicki, a fire safety professional at Travelers Insurance, the heat from a burning Christmas tree can be the equivalent of “40,000 100-watt light bulbs.” “Christmas trees are powerful fuel sources, especially when dry,” he said. “The tree becomes a fuel that burns very rapidly and gives off a lot of heat energy.”

  In addition, Ostroskey said that when buying a tree, needles should not fall off when pulling your hand along the branches. If that happens, the tree is too dry.

  Placement is also a key factor. Ostroskey said the tree should not block doors or windows that would be used to escape a fire. “Santa may be able to escape up the chimney, but you’ll need two clear pathways out of each room,” said Ostroskey.

  The tree should also be three feet away from heating vents, fireplaces or other heat sources. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, 25 percent of Christmas tree fires are caused by putting a tree too close to a heat source. A Christmas tree will “act like a blowtorch in your living room” once it catches fire.

  According to Cavallo & Signoriello Insurance, real Christmas trees are three times more likely to catch fire than an artificial tree. Therefore, real trees should be kept no longer than four weeks.

  When decorating the tree, it is recommended to use newer LED lights. The lights should be off when no one is home and before going to bed at night. When decorating outside, consumers should use lights that are specifically for outdoor use. Fire officials also suggest using a ground-fault circuit interrupter, which can be installed by an electrician or purchased for portable use. In addition, consumers should be aware that a 15-ampere circuit can support 1,800 watts and a 24-ampere circuit can support 2,400 watts.

  “No one thinks they will experience a fire, but sadly so many do over the holidays,” said Ostroskey. “Be sure that your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are in good working order and review your home escape plan with family and guests.”