Gardendale fire marshall offers holiday safety tips
By Adam Smith
The North Jefferson News
As families continue to prepare for the Christmas season with indoor and outdoor decorations, the Gardendale Fire Department wants to remind residents to use precautions to prevent holiday fires.
Gardendale Fire Marshall Rick Smith said one of the biggest hazards is the use of extension cords and power strips.
“Make sure the extension cords you use for outside decorations are for outside use only,” he said. “A lot of danger comes from people using cords that aren’t supposed to be used outside.”
Live trees are also a big potential fire hazard if homeowners neglect to water them.
“It doesn’t take much to set them on fire and they burn really quickly,” he said. “Within a couple of minutes, a room can be in flames from a dry tree.”
Smith said there are several common sense ways to keep household decorations from becoming a fire hazard including:
• Maintain holiday lights: Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.
• Don’t leave lit decorations unattended: “I know some people like to come home from work or the store to a house that’s lit up and it’s pretty, but it’s not safe,” Smith said.
• Don’t overload outlets: Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires — they should not be warm to the touch.
• Use nonflammable decorations: All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heat vents.
• Avoid using lit candles: If you do use lit candles, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Never leave the house with candles burning.
• Never put lit candles on a Christmas tree: Do not go near a Christmas tree with an open flame, candles, lighters or matches.
Smith said homeowners with any other questions about holiday safety can call the Gardendale Fire Department at 631-6660.