PSA: Holiday Fire Safety

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), from 2006-2010, fire departments in the United States have responded to an estimated annual average of 230 home structure fires that began with Christmas trees, which caused multiple deaths and injuries, and an estimated $17.3 million in direct property damage per year.  Additionally, cooking was involved in an estimated 156,300 home structure fires that were reported to U.S. fire departments in 2011. These fires caused 470 deaths, 5,390 injuries and $1billion in direct property damage.

National Fire Protection Association Division Manager of Public Education Judy Comoletti, will be available to provide tips on how to keep your home merry, safe, and fire-free, this season.  Among the safety tips she recommends are:

•    When setting up the Christmas tree, make sure it is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or    lights
•    Add water to the tree stand daily -- dried out trees can be a fire hazard.
•    Use lights that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory.  Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use.
•    When baking, roasting, or boiling food, check  the oven regularly and remain in the home while food is cooking.