Santa Clara County Fire Department

 

Live Christmas Tree Fire video clips, Comparison of fresh vs. dry trees:

 

Santa Clara County Fire Retardant Live Trees and Fire Retardant Fabrics facilities list:
form Fire Retardant Treatment Facilities - 2009 [pdf; 332k]

 

Holiday Safety Tips

Trees

  • Keep your tree away from fireplaces, wood burning stoves, portable heaters or other sources of heat.

  • Place the tree in an area where it will not block your escape path in the event of an emergency.

Fresh Trees

  • Choose a fresh tree. Do not buy a tree with shedding needles.

  • Before mounting your tree in a sturdy stand, cut 1" from the truck and immediately submerge in water. This keeps sap from clogging water flow.

  • Fill tree stand with water daily (or more often as needed) so the tree does not dry out. The average 6-foot tree has a 4-inch diameter truck and can consume as much as 1 gallon of water per day.

Artificial Trees

  • Be sure that plastic trees have the UL Label, and that they are labeled as flame retardant.

  • Never use electric lights on a metallic tree.

Lights

  • Use only lights that have the Underwriters Laboratories (UL) label.

  • Carefully inspect each set of lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, and loose connections. Discard any damaged light sets.

  • Check packaging to determine the maximum number of strings that may be connected together.

  • Use only extension cords that have a built-in circuit breaker.

  • Do not run cords under throw rugs or carpets.

  • Check labels on lights before using them outdoors. Never use indoor lights outside.

  • Always unplug lights before you go to bed or leave the house.

Candles, Matches and Lighters

  • Never use burning candles on your tree or as part of wreaths.

  • Keep candles away from decorations, drapes, furniture and other combustibles.

  • Use sturdy, non-combustible candleholders that can collect dripping wax and won't tip over.

  • Purchase only child-resistant lighters.

  • Always keep matches, lighters and candles out of the reach of children, and don't leave children unattended in a room with lit candles. Teach young children to bring matches and lighters to an adult.

  • Always extinguish candles when leaving the room or going to sleep.

Fireplaces, Wood Stoves and Heating Equipment

  • Have your chimney and vents inspected annually before burning fire in the fireplace.

  • Keep all combustible materials away from fireplaces and wood stoves. Keep portable heaters a minimum of 3 feet from furniture, drapes, blankets and other combustibles.

  • Install a spark arrester with a 1/2" mesh screen on chimney or stovepipe outlets to prevent flying embers from igniting a roof fire.

  • Never use flammable liquids to start a fire.

  • Use a screen to enclose the front of your fireplace to confine live embers and sparks. Keep Christmas stockings, holiday decorations, and furniture at a safe distance from fireplace.

  • Never burn Christmas trees or wrapping paper in the fireplace or wood stove. Both burn very intensely and may cause a roof or chimney fire.

  • Firelogs (such as duraflame) Usage and Safety Tips:

    • DO NOT use in wood stoves or BBQS.

    • DO NOT use for cooking.

    • Burn only ONE log at a time - the wax component of the product produces twice the BTU heat value per pound of wood, allowing one firelong to provide a fire equivalent to several pieces of wood. Burning more than one log at a time could result in too large or too hot of fire in your fireplace.

    • Position logs at the rear of the fireplace on an adequate supporting grate.

    • DO NOT use pokers or tongs to move firelogs. These logs are designed to burn in a controlled manner and do not require tending.

  • Consider replacing your wood burning fireplace with a gas fireplace. The Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) Wood Smoke Rebate Program opens Tuesday, November 18, 2008, at 2:00 pm. Rebates of $200 will be offered to convert to gas fireplace inserts and stoves. For more information, visit: http://www.sparetheair.org/.

Holiday Parties and Smoking

Carelessness with smoking materials is the leading cause of fire deaths in the United States.

  • Don't smoke near the tree or decorations.

  • Have large ashtrays with center supports available for smokers.

  • Check for cigarette butts in upholstered furniture before you go to bed.

  • Wait until ashes are cool before disposing of them.

Be Prepared

  • Install smoke alarms inside and outside all sleeping areas. Test alarms monthly and replace batteries annually.

  • Install fire extinguishers where they are easily accessible. Train family members how and when to use fire extinguishers.

  • Make a home escape plan with family members. Your plan should include two exits out of every room and a common meeting place outside. Practice your home escape plan.

  • Teach family members that if a fire does occur to crawl low under smoke to make a safe escape.

  • Teach all family members how to report an emergency by calling 911.

Holiday Gift Ideas

  • Smoke alarms

  • Fire extinguishers

  • Escape ladders

  • First aid kits

  • Earthquake kits

  • Flashlights

  • Portable radios

  • New batteries for smoke alarms, flashlights and portable radios

For a version of this page in a printable format, click: form Holiday Safety Tips. [pdf; 40k]

For additional safety information:

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