St. Christopher's Hospital for Children Offers Holiday Fire Safety Tips

In the coming weeks, holiday lights will be hung, Christmas trees will be decorated, and stoves will be working overtime for holiday cooking.  With all the excitement surrounding the holidays, it can be easy to forget the importance of fire safety.

Children may be at risk the most when it comes to the danger posed by potential fire hazards.  According to the U.S. Fire Administration fires during the holiday season claim over 400 lives, injure 1,650, and cause over $990 million in damage.  Children are often fascinated by all the holiday decorations, says Dr. Paul Glat, Chief of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at St. Christopher's Hospital for Children.  It is important to keep an eye on them when they are playing near the tree and lights.  Teaching them about fire safety and making sure they know how to call for help if a fire should occur can save their lives.

When decorating your tree and home for the holidays, Dr. Glat recommends parents follow advice from the U.S. Fire Administration and the National Fire Protection Association:

• Check the needles.  Needles should be green and should not break or fall when the tree is handled.  When needles start to fall, it's time to dispose of the tree.
• Do not place the tree close to any heat sources.
• Water the tree daily to keep moist.  Dried-out trees are a major fire hazard.
• Never overload your electrical outlets.
• Read the manufacturer's guidelines when choosing lights for indoor/outdoor use and only use lights that have been approved by a testing laboratory.
• Inspect lights each year for damage, such as, frayed wiring, cracked sockets, and bare spots.
• Turn off all lights when heading to bed or leaving the house.
• Use non-flammable decorations.
• Always move matches out of the reach of children.

In addition, smoke alarms should be installed and maintained not just during the holidays but also throughout the year.  With a little caution, the winter holidays can easily be both safe and fun, says Dr. Glat.  Taking these steps will help ensure your holidays stay festive, joyous and safe.

For more information on fire safety, please visit the U.S. Fire Administration website at www.usfa.fema.gov or the National Fire Protection Association Website at www.nfpa.org.