Official issues holiday safety reminder
Special to The North Jefferson News
Trees, lights and candles are more prominent in homes and businesses at this time of year.
As the holiday season winds down, live Christmas trees cut earlier this month will begin to dry out if not watered daily.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments annually respond to 250 structure fires caused by Christmas trees. Nearly half of them are caused by electrical problems, and one in four resulted from a heat source that’s too close to the tree.
Gardendale Fire Marshal Rick Smith wants to remind citizens about specific fire code requirements regarding the use of live trees and other decorations.
“The City of Gardendale codes are in place to protect our citizens’ lives and property,” Smith said. “Live trees present a significant fire hazard and must be used carefully.”
Cut root trees, including Christmas trees, are permitted in single-family homes and town homes. However, the 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 similar areas where groups of people gather unless the building has approved sprinklers.
In regards to hospitals, nursing homes and day care centers, cut root trees are prohibited even if the building is protected by an automatic sprinkler system.
“If you choose a natural-cut tree, make sure you are taking care of it,” Smith said. “Keep it watered daily and do not put it near a heat source. Never use an open flame such as a candle on a tree, and once the holidays are over, remove the tree safely from your home.”
Gardendale’s Fire Codes prohibit lit candles on Christmas trees and candles close enough to the tree to be a fire hazard. The codes also require the tree to be placed in a stand strong enough to support it.
Residents are also urged to use approved lights with a recognized label, such as UL (Underwriters Laboratories), demonstrating that they are safe.
For more information, contact Smith at 631-6660.