pnbspKeep YourHolidays From Going Up in Flamesppspan stylefont-size12.0ptUpper Saddle River Fire Department OffersFire Prevention Tipsnbspspanspan stylefont-size12.0ptfor a Safeiandispanspan stylefont-size12.0pt Festive Holiday Seasonspanspan stylefont-size14.0ptopopspannbsppp classMsoNormal aligncenter stylemargin-bottom0inmargin-bottom.0001pttext-aligncenterline-heightnormalopoppp classMsoNormal stylemargin-bottom0inmargin-bottom.0001ptspan stylefont-weightnormalFor most of us the holidayseason represents a time for family festivities and good cheer. What few of usconsider is that the holiday season is a time when there is an increased riskof home fires. According to Upper Saddle River Fspanspan stylefont-weightnormalire Department many households engage in holidayactivities that serve as some of the leading causes of U.S. home firesincluding cooking. Christmas trees candle usage and holiday decorations alsosignificantly contribute to the seasonal causes of home fires. Add to that thehectic nature of the holidays when people are trying to accomplish multipletasks at one time and the chance for home fires grows even further.spanpp classMsoNormal stylemargin-bottom0inmargin-bottom.0001pt–13557520479550–nbsp–13557520479551–opoppp classMsoNormal stylemargin-bottom0inmargin-bottom.0001ptAs everyonegets busier during the holidays we often become rushed distracted or tiredsays Erik Vierheilig Lieutenant of the USRFD.span stylefont-weightnormalnbspspanspan stylefont-weightnormalnbspThats when home fires are morelikely to occur.spanpp classMsoNormal stylemargin-bottom0inmargin-bottom.0001ptspan stylemso-spacerun yesnbspspanpp classMsoNormal stylemargin-bottom0inmargin-bottom.0001ptFortunatelywith a little added awareness and some minor adjustments to holiday cooking anddecorating the season can remain festive iandispan stylefont-stylenormal safe for everybody. By taking some preventative steps and followingsimple rules of thumb most home fires can be prevented says Lt. Vierheilig.spanpp classMsoNormal stylemargin-bottom0inmargin-bottom.0001ptspan stylefont-stylenormalspan–13557520479552–nbsp–13557520479553–opoppp classMsoNormal stylemargin-bottom0inmargin-bottom.0001ptWithunattended cooking as the leading cause of U.S. home fires and home fireinjuries Vierheilig sayspan stylefont-weightnormals tostay in the kitchen while youre frying grilling or broiling food. Mostcooking fires involve the stovetop so keep anything that can catch fire awayfrom it and turn off the stove when you leave the kitchen even if its for ashort period of time. If youre simmering boiling baking or roasting foodcheck it regularly and use a timer to remind you that youre cooking. The USRFDstrongstrongspanspan stylefont-weightnormalnbspalsosuggests creating a kid-free zone of at least three feet around the stove andareas where hot food and drinks are prepared or carried.spanpp classMsoNormal stylemargin-bottom0inmargin-bottom.0001pt–13557520479554–nbsp–13557520479555–opoppp classMsoNormalCandles are widely used in homes throughout the holidaysand December is the peak month for home candle fires. The nonprofit NationalFire Protection Associations NFPA statistics show almost half of all homedecoration fires are started by candlesb. nbspbThe Upper Saddle Rivernbspspan stylefont-weightnormalFire Department encourages spanUSRspan stylefont-weightnormalnbspresidents to consider usingflameless candles which look and smell like real candles. However if you douse traditional candles keep them at least 12 away from anything that canburn and remember to blow them out when you leave the room or go to bed. Usecandle holders that are sturdy wont tip over and are placed on unclutteredsurfaces. Avoid using candles in the bedroom where one-third of U.S. candle firesbegin or other areas where people may fall asleep. Lastly never leave a childalone in a room with a burning candle.spanpp classMsoNormalAccording to NFPA U.S. fire departments respond to 230 homestructure fires caused by Christmas trees each year. One of every three of themis caused by electrical problems and one in five resulted from a heat sourcethats too close to the tree. bThe bUpper Saddle Rivernbspspan stylefont-weightnormalFire Department offers the following advice forpicking placing and lighting the treespanpp classMsoNormal stylemargin-top0inmargin-right0inmargin-bottom0inmargin-left.5inmargin-bottom.0001pttext-indent-.25inmso-listl0 level1 lfo1–13557520479556–span stylefont-familySymbolspan stylefont7.0pt quotTimes New Romanquotnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspspanspan–13557520479557–If you have an artificial tree be sure its labeledcertified or identified by the manufacturer as fire-retardant.pp classMsoNormal stylemargin-top0inmargin-right0inmargin-bottom0inmargin-left.5inmargin-bottom.0001pttext-indent-.25inmso-listl0 level1 lfo1–13557520479558–span stylefont-familySymbolspan stylefont7.0pt quotTimes New Romanquotnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspspanspan–13557520479559–If you choose a fresh tree make sure the green needlesdont fall off when touched before placing it in the stand cut 2 from thebase of the trunk. Add water to the tree stand and be sure to water it daily.pp classMsoNormal stylemargin-top0inmargin-right0inmargin-bottom0inmargin-left.5inmargin-bottom.0001pttext-indent-.25inmso-listl0 level1 lfo1–135575204795510–span stylefont-familySymbolspan stylefont7.0pt quotTimes New Romanquotnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspspanspan–135575204795511–Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit and is atleast three feet away from any heat source like fireplaces space heatersradiators candles and heat vents or lights.pp classMsoNormal stylemargin-top0inmargin-right0inmargin-bottom0inmargin-left.5inmargin-bottom.0001pttext-indent-.25inmso-listl0 level1 lfo1–135575204795512–span stylefont-familySymbolspan stylefont7.0pt quotTimes New Romanquotnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspspanspan–135575204795513–Use lights that have the label of an independenttesting laboratory and make sure you know whether they are designed for indooror outdoor use.pp classMsoNormal stylemargin-top0inmargin-right0inmargin-bottom0inmargin-left.5inmargin-bottom.0001pttext-indent-.25inmso-listl0 level1 lfo1–135575204795514–span stylefont-familySymbolspan stylefont7.0pt quotTimes New Romanquotnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspspanspan–135575204795515–Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cordsor loose bulb connections. Connect no more than three strands of mini-stringsets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs.pp classMsoNormal stylemargin-top0inmargin-right0inmargin-bottom0inmargin-left.5inmargin-bottom.0001pttext-indent-.25inmso-listl0 level1 lfo1–135575204795516–span stylefont-familySymbolspan stylefont7.0pt quotTimes New Romanquotnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspspanspan–135575204795517–Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.pp classMsoNormal stylemargin-top0inmargin-right0inmargin-bottom0inmargin-left.5inmargin-bottom.0001pttext-indent-.25inmso-listl0 level1 lfo1–135575204795518–span stylefont-familySymbolspan stylefont7.0pt quotTimes New Romanquotnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspspanspan–135575204795519–Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leavingthe home or going to bed.brpp classMsoNormal stylemargin-top0inmargin-right0inmargin-bottom0inmargin-left.5inmargin-bottom.0001pttext-indent-.25inmso-listl0 level1 lfo1–135575204795520–span stylefont-familySymbolspan stylefont7.0pt quotTimes New Romanquotnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspspanspan–135575204795521–After Christmas get rid of the tree. Dried-out treesare a fire hazard and should not be left in the home or garage or placedoutside the home.pp classMsoNormal stylemargin-top0inmargin-right0inmargin-bottom0inmargin-left.5inmargin-bottom.0001pttext-indent-.25inmso-listl0 level1 lfo1–135575204795522–span stylefont-familySymbolspan stylefont7.0pt quotTimes New Romanquotnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspnbspspanspan–135575204795523–Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after theholidays to prevent hazards and make them last longer.pp classMsoNormal stylemargin-bottom0inmargin-bottom.0001pt–135575204795524–nbsp–135575204795525–opoppp classMsoNormal stylemargin-bottom0inmargin-bottom.0001ptBy followingthese fire prevention tips and measure the Upper Saddle Rivernbspspan stylefont-weightnormalFire Department says you can greatly reduce therisk of fire in your home and enjoy a safe holiday season. The holidays canquickly turn from joyful to tragic when a fire occurs says Lt. Vierheiligspanb. bspan stylefont-weightnormalBy taking simple precautionspeople can avoid potential fire hazards and make this time of year a healthyand happy one.spanpp classMsoNormal stylemargin-bottom0inmargin-bottom.0001pt–135575204795526–nbsp–135575204795527–opoppp classMsoNormal stylemargin-bottom0inmargin-bottom.0001ptVisit a hrefhttpwww.nfpa.orgholiday fcksavedurlhttpwww.nfpa.orgholidaywww.nfpa.orgholidaya for moreinformation and safety tips.nbspp–135575204795528–
