WINTERTIME GUIDE FOR FIRE SAFETY
The winter heating season is now upon us, and the number of home fires will increase. To keep warm and safe this heating season, the Clementon Bureau of Fire Safety offers some tips and a checklist that provides Clementon residents with practical fire safety advice.
- Have your home heating system, flues and chimneys inspected and cleaned for safe operation.
- Maintain a safe clearance between a portable electric heater and combustible material i.e. furniture, bedding, curtains and clothing.
- Turn off your portable or space heater before leaving the room.
- Make sure the wiring is adequate for electric space heaters and check for fraying, splitting wires, or overheating.
- Never use extension cords with electric heaters.
- Have all problems repaired by a professional before operating a heater.
- Select new heating equipment that bears the mark of an independent testing laboratory.
Portable Non-vented Kerosene Heaters are prohibited in ALL Multiple Residences, Public Assembly Areas and Commercial Properties.
The CBFS recommends that Non-vented Kerosene Heaters NOT be used in ANY Type of Occupancy.
According to recent National Fire Prevention Association findings, heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires, and the third leading cause of fire deaths in American homes. By following the checklist above you can greatly reduce your risk of experiencing a home heating fire.
Also, a malfunctioning or defective heating system can lead to the infiltration of carbon monoxide gas, the "silent killer," entering your home. Carbon monoxide gas is colorless and odorless, the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include headache, dizziness, nausea, and can result in unconsciousness and even death.
Remember to, always keep and maintain smoke detectors throughout the home. Basements, at the top of stairwells, at each landing, and outside each sleeping area are examples of important locations to place smoke detectors. Smoke detectors are your first defense against the ravages of fire.
When fire strikes a few minutes hesitation can mean the difference between life and death. All fire alarms should be taken seriously and demand fast responses. It is important for both children and adults to know and practice an escape plan from the home. Have a prearranged meeting place outside the home and phone 911 from a neighbor’s house.
OPERATION DECORATION
With more than 32 million homes decorating real Christmas trees this season, according to the National Christmas Tree Association (NCTA), there is no doubt that this holiday season will bring cheer. While it’s easy to get caught up in the holiday shuffle of dinners, gifts and travel, safety should be at the top of everyone’s lists.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Underwriters Laboratories (UL), an independent safety testing organization, are partnering this season to remind consumers about the importance of safe holiday decorating habits.
Keeping fresh Christmas trees well-watered is not only vital to the tree's decorative longevity, but also to keeping consumers safe this holiday season. If ignited, a dry tree can become engulfed in flames in a matter of seconds, as opposed to a well-watered tree, according to NCTA. With so many people decorating trees for the holidays, this safety detail is more important than ever.
“Because many trees have been dormant for a couple months, it’s typical for them to absorb most of their water within six to eight hours after being brought into a warm home. Families should make a fresh cut to the trunk and place the tree in water as soon as possible once getting it home,” said Beth Walterscheidt, a tree farmer from Texas and president of NCTA. “Trees that are kept fresh during the holiday season are extremely difficult to ignite, which is why it is critical for consumers to commit to the care of their Christmas tree. If the water level falls below the cut surface for more than four to six hours, the tree’s ability to keep absorbing moisture is inhibited.”
See a demonstration showing how flammable a dry Christmas tree can be as opposed to a tree watered regularly. This test was conducted by the National Fire Protection Association and Underwriters Laboratories.
In addition to keeping trees watered daily, John Drengenberg, consumer affairs manager for UL, reminds consumers to dispose of them after four weeks.
“If you put up your Christmas tree right after Thanksgiving, it needs to be taken down the week after Christmas,” Drengenberg said. “After New Year’s, even well-watered trees can become a fire hazard.”
On average, real and artificial Christmas trees are the first items ignited in an estimated 210 home fires annually, according to the most recent NFPA statistics. While this represents a small portion of the estimated 85 million households that display a tree, consumers need to commit to taking care of a fresh tree, and keep flame sources away from plastic trees, to reduce the risk of their tree being involved in a home fire.