The holiday season should be filled with happy times and family,
and some local experts on fire safety are offering some tips to
keep the season safe and joyous.

Lights, lighted decorations, Christmas trees and wood-burning
stoves all can pose serious fire hazards.

“With the price of gas up, people are going to want to use their
fireplace,” said Chief William McCormack of Bradford City Fire
Department. “The problem is, there might be cracks in the chimney
or flume.”

McCormack says that many people will decide to used their
fireplace and just start burning wood in it. “Before starting to
burn wood, you should have a professional come and check it,” he
said. “A regular person isn’t going to be able to see problems.

“Chimneys should be checked on a regular basis,” McCormack
insisted. “When burning green wood or using a slow-burning stove,
creosol can build up.”

A build up of creosol will increase the risk of fire.

McCormick also says that another fire hazard is the used of
electric heaters, especially around children and pets. “Pets can
drag a blanket in front of the heater, catching it on fire,” he
explained.

The other danger associated with an electric heater is the
chance of an electrical fire. “If fuses blow, they shouldn’t just
be replaced with larger ones,” stated McCormick.

According to the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York
(FASNY), hospitals treat about 8,700 people for injuries related to
holiday lights, decorations and Christmas trees.

The association reported that Christmas trees are the cause of
about 400 fires annually, which results in 20 deaths, 70 injuries
and cost more than $15 million in property loss and damage.

When it comes to picking out a tree, natural or artificial,
beware of fire hazards.

A natural tree should be fresh. To check for freshness, check
the needles first. The needles will not pull off the tree easily or
break when bent. When the tree is tapped on the ground, needles
should not fall off. There should also be a sticky resin on the
butt of the trunk.

An artificial tree should be labeled fire resistant. This
doesn’t mean it completely eliminates the chance of fire, but it is
much safer.

Trees should not be placed near fireplaces, radiators or in
front of door ways. The tree should away be watered to prevent it
from drying out, which would make it more of a fire hazard.

When purchasing new lights and lighted decorations, make sure
that they have been tested by Underwriters Laboratory. Look for the
UL label. Also make sure to use the lights for their intended
purpose. Lights that are intended for indoor use should never be
used outdoors.

Before hanging lights, they should always be inspected for
flaws, even if they are new. “Holiday lights should be inspected
annually. Many people assume that their lights are in good working
condition because they worked last year, but this is not always the
case,” said Ronald A. Magnuson, vice president of customer services
for Allegheny Power. “Customers should look for frayed wires,
damaged sockets or missing insulation. If they find any of these
conditions, the lights should be thrown away.”

When hanging lights outdoors, never use nails or tacks. It is
suggested that lights are hung with insulated staples or hooks,
making sure the lights are secure. This will prevent wind
damage.

Extension cords should never be overloaded, which would cause
overheating, resulting in a fire. It is recommended that no more
than three standard sized sets of lights be plugged into one
extension cord.

The main thing that can be done to help prevent fires is to
always turn off lights that are unattended. If leaving the house or
going to bed, make sure all lights and decorations are turned off,
according to Allegheny Power.