INCLUDE FIRE SAFETY ON YOUR HOLIDAY WISH LIST

American Red Cross of Western Wisconsin Offers

Safety Tips to Prevent Holiday Home Fires

 Altoona, WI, December 14, 2009 - As the holiday season moves into full swing, the Western Wisconsin Chapter of the American Red Cross urges families to follow simple safety tips to keep the season merry and to prevent burnouts due to holiday fires.

During the winter holiday season the incidence and severity of home fires dramatically increase. In fact according to the U.S. Fire Administration, each year more than 128,000 fires occur during the holidays claiming more than 400 lives and causing 1,650 injuries. Many of these fires are caused by home heating sources, unattended cooking and candles.

"Home fires are preventable, and that's what makes this type of disaster so devastating," said Jenny Legaspi, Emergency Services Director of the Western Wisconsin Chapter. "The holidays can be a time of celebration, and by following a few quick safety tips you can help to prevent your family's festivities from being disrupted by a fire. Making safety an important part of your holiday preparations can help you do this."

"So far this holiday season the Western Wisconsin Chapter has responded to 14 home fires and provided 38 individuals with immediate emergency assistance," said Legaspi. "In addition to following safety precautions with holiday lights and decorations, this is a great time for Chippewa Valley families to make sure that their smoke alarms are functioning properly and practice their home fire escape plan." 

At a minimum, smoke alarms need to be installed outside of each sleeping area and on each level of your home. Use the test button to test each smoke alarm once a month and if necessary, replace batteries immediately. All smoke alarm batteries need to be replaced at least once a year.

Include at least two escape routes for every room in the home in your fire escape plans. Then decide on a convenient meeting place at a safe distance from the fire. Practice the escape plan at least twice a year with all family members.

The Red Cross recommends following the below tips to help prevent holiday home fires:

Christmas Tree Care

•  If you purchase a real tree, make sure that it has fresh, green needles that aren't easily broken. Keep live trees as moist as possible by giving them plenty of water; be sure all artificial trees are flame retardant.
•  Use a sturdy tree stand designed not to tip over.
•  Keep trees at least three feet away from heat sources, including fireplaces, portable heaters, radiators, heat vents and candles.
•  Make sure that any light strings or other decorations for the tree are in good condition and follow manufacturer's instructions for their use. Do not use anything with frayed electrical cords.
•  Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree.
•  Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood burning stove.
•  Safely dispose of trees as they become dry and needles begin to drop.
•  Dispose of trees through recycling centers or community pick-up services. Dried-out trees should not be left in a house or garage, or placed against the house or garage.

Holiday Lights and Decorations

•  Always unplug tree and holiday lights before leaving home or going to bed.
•  Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear.
•  Avoid overloading electrical outlets by not linking more than three light strands.
•  Use decorations that are flame-resistant or flame-retardant
•  Place decorations at least three feet away from fireplaces, portable heaters, radiators, heat vents and candles.
  
  

Holiday Candles

•  Always extinguish them before leaving the room or going to bed. Do not leave a room before extinguishing candles.
•  Never use lit candles to decorate a tree.
•  Keep them at least three feet away from trees, evergreens, holiday decorations, and other items that can catch fire like clothing, papers and curtains.
•  Use candle holders that are study, won't tip over easily, are made from a material that cannot burn, and are large enough to collect dripping wax. Remember that even glass holders can shatter and explode from the heat of a candle flame.
•  Place them where they cannot be reached or easily knocked over by children and pets.

For more Red Cross fire safety and preparedness information please visit www.RedCrossWW.org or contact us at (715) 834-4182.

About the American Red Cross:

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies nearly half of the nation's blood; teaches lifesaving skills; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization - not a government agency - and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit http://www.redcrossww.org/ or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org/.

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