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Safety tips keep your family, friends, and your home fire safe throughout this wonderful time of the year.
Xmas Tree

Christmas trees:

    If you purchase a live Christmas tree, remember to:
  1. Make a fresh cut on the bottom of the tree - this will help the tree absorb water more readily.
  2. Fill the water reservoir daily.
  3. Never use lights with frayed cords or empty sockets.
  4. Use mini lights - they remain cooler that the larger lights.
  5. Always turn off Christmas lights before going to bed or leaving the house.
  6. Never use candles on or near the tree.
  7. Safely dispose of the tree before it gets dangerously dry and NEVER burn it in the fireplace.
Candles: With the holidays come increase use of candles. Please remember to:
  1. Keep matches and lighters out of the reach of children.
  2. Never burn candles near combustible decorations or displays.
  3. Never put candles in windows or near combustible curtains or exit ways.
  4. Never leave candles burning unattended and make sure they are extinguished before going to bed or leaving the house.
  5. Always extinguish the candles by wetting the wick.
Party Safety:
  1. If you have smokers over during the holidays, provide them with large, deep, non-tip ashtrays.
  2. After the party, check furniture for any smoldering cigarettes/ashes.
  3. Empty the ashtrays often and wet their contents before putting them in the trash can.




Fireplaces/Heaters: With the holidays comes cold weather and the increased use of fireplaces and space heaters. Remember to:

  1. Have your chimney inspected by a professional once a year.
  2. Always use the screen to keep errant ashes from leaving the fireplace.
  3. Never burn trash or paper in the fireplace.
  4. Clean out the fireplace after each use.
  5. Keep space heaters at least 3' from furniture, bedding, clothing, etc.


Children's Toys:

  1. Avoid buying toys that are flammable.
  2. Make sure any electrical type toy bears a fire safety/UL approved label.




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Last Update: December 17, 1999