By Adam Smith

The North Jefferson News



Most families may have already decked their halls for the holidays, but a local fire official is advising all residents to use common sense this holiday season.

“Live trees present a significant fire hazard and must be used carefully,” said Gardendale Fire Marshal Rick Smith. “Some people don’t water fresh-cut trees like they’re supposed to.”

Cut root trees, including Christmas trees, are permitted in single-family homes and town homes, Smith said in a press release.

However, Gardendale fire code prohibits cut root trees in common areas of apartment buildings and condos. Cut trees are also prohibited in restaurants, theaters, churches, restaurants, residential hotels and motels, bowling alleys, schools, stores, malls, dorms, convents, monasteries and other areas where groups of people gather unless the building has approved sprinklers.

Gardendale fire codes also prohibit lit candles on Christmas trees and candles close enough to the tree to be a hazard. The tree must also be placed in a stand strong enough to support the tree and be decorated with lights with a recognized label such as UL (Underwriters Laboratories).

Smith said a dried Christmas tree can ignite and become fully involved within seconds. “If you’ve got your presents under the tree, people want to put it out, but the fire spreads quickly,” he said.

Smith advised that if you choose a fresh-cut tree, to check the water levels daily. Other tips include keeping the tree away from a heat source, never using an open flame on the tree and removing the tree from the home once the holidays are over.

More than 2,600 Americans are injured annually in Christmas tree-related fires, which cause more than $930 million in damages, according to statistics from the United States Fire Administration.

In statistics released by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), every one-in-nine reported home Christmas tree fire resulted in a death and that almost half of home Christmas tree fires were caused by some type of electrical failure or malfunction.

Twenty-seven percent of Christmas tree fires resulted from a heat source placed too close to the three. Five percent resulted from someone, typically a child, playing with fire or other heat source, the NFPA said.

Other statistics include that two-thirds of home Christmas tree fires were reported in December while 19 percent were reported in January.

Smith said residents should also exercise caution when it comes to outside decorations. “If you’ve got a dead bush that’s all dried out, you don’t want to put lights around it,” he said. “Outside, it’s not as big of a danger as long as it’s not too close to your home.”

He also advised homeowners to make sure to use lights and cords designated for outside use outdoors. “You don’t want to use something outside that’s intended for indoor use or not supposed to get wet,” he said.

Smith also said it’s important to unplug decorations before turning in for the night and make sure the water level on live trees are checked daily. “Just be smart with what you have,” he said.