2015-2016-All Editions of the Safety Spotlight 2015-2016-All Safety Spotlight Editions | Page 5

Safety Spotlight Holiday Fire Safety December 2015 Holiday decorations account for hundreds of fires annually. Typically, shorts in electrical lights or open flames from candles, overloaded electrical outlets and trees that are not maintained. Keep some of these tips in mind while doing your holiday decorating. Tree Safety      Make sure your tree stand holds plenty of water. Unplug your tree decorations before you leave or go to bed. If you buy an artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant. Keep your tree at least three feet from fireplaces and heaters. After the holiday, remove the tree and dispose of it properly. Decoration Safety  Check all tree lights to make sure bulbs work and that there are no frayed wires, broken sockets or loose connections; even newly purchased items.  Before using outdoor lights, check the labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use. Do not use nails or tacks to secure lights.  Turn off all interior and exterior decorations when you leave the house and before you go to bed.  Remove all wrapping paper, bags, ribbons and bows from tree and fireplace areas after gifts are opened.  Plug all outdoor decorations into circuits with a ground fault circuit interrupter to avoid potential shock. Fireplace Safety  Never leave a fire unattended.  Protect against sparks by enclosing a fireplace’s opening with glass doors or a sturdy screen.  Never close the flue while a fire is still smoldering as Carbon Monoxide can build up.  Keep flammables such as newspapers, magazines, rugs and carpeting away from the fireplace.  Remove holiday decorations from the fireplace and mantle before building a fire to avoid having the decorations ignite. Life and Property Preservation Through Public Education Fire Education Renni Burt [email protected] 817-748-8349 Police Education Valerie Snyder [email protected] 817-748-8173 Visit us on Facebook at: “SouthlakePublicSafety”