If you love Christmas then you probably can’t wait to get your decorations up. Be sure to keep the holiday season a happy one by taking precautions to prevent fires.
Trees:
If using an artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant. For live trees, follow these precautions:
- Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up too long.
- Select a fresh tree. For details on how to choose a good tree, go to https://www.townofbwg.com/Pages/Services/Fire-Emergency/Christmas-Tree-Safety.aspx
- Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The tree will dry out quickly, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks.
- Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.
Christmas Lights
- Inspect Christmas lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory (ULC).
- Do not overload electrical outlets: Unless the directions on the lights indicate it is safe, do not link more than three strands of lights. Make sure to periodically check the wires - they should not be warm to the touch.
Decorations
- Use only nonflammable decorations: All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and be placed away safely away from heat sources such as the fireplace.
For more information, please visit our website at www.townofbwg.com/fire
