Hays Co Fire Marshal’s Holiday Safety Tips
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Holiday Safety Tips
Check it Twice for a Safe Holiday Season!
When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label “Fire Resistant.” When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches and when bent between your fingers , needles do not break. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground , the tree should not lose many needles. Set up the tree away from fireplaces , radiators or portable heaters. Cut a few inches off the trunk of your tree to expose the fresh wood . This allows for better water absorption and will help keep your tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard. Be sure to keep the stand filled with water.
Check your lights before decorating.
o Make sure all holiday lighting has a label that says it is “UL listed”. If it doesn’t have this label, the lighting is not safe to use.
o Use only light sets marked as “indoor” or indoor/outdoor” inside buildings .
o Make sure all light strings have bulbs in each socket.
o Keep all lights away from combustible materials such as fabrics or paper decorations .
o Don’t connect more than three strands of lights to one extension cord.
Extension cords can be used with holiday decorations as long as the decorations are taken down within a few weeks.
Make sure all light strands and electrical cords are free of cuts, crimps , cracks or repairs. Never use a “three-prong-to -two-prong ” plug adaptor to by-pass a grounded plug. Keep all electrical cords out of traffic areas, and not under rugs, through doorways or taped to the floor .
Conserve electricity and prevent electrical fires : Turn off all lights, appliances and other electrical equipment when you go to bed or leave the house.
Make sure all lit candles are in stable holders and placed where they cannot be easily knocked over or reached by children or animals . Do not leave the house with candles burning.
Never put wrapping paper in a fireplace. It can result in a flash fire, throwing off dangerous sparks and embers and may result in a chimney fire.
Make sure your smoke detectors are working properly. Never remove batteries from a smoke detector to place them in children’s toys . Test them monthly and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times . Know when and how to call for help. Remember to practice your home escape plan.
Have a safe and happy holiday season
Hays County Fire Marshal’s Office 2171 Yarrington Road, P.O. Box 988 San Marcos,Texas 78666
512 .393 .7339
