Know how to celebrate the holiday season safely

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas-- The Christmas season can be the most joyous of times, but can also be deadly is people are not careful.

Each year, approximately 400 fires occur that involve Christmas trees, according to the National Fire Protection Association, or NFPA, resulting in more than a dozen deaths, numerous injuries and more than $10 million in property loss and damage.

Short-circuiting tree lights are cited as the leading cause, while more than a third of home fires are started by candles.

Joint Base San Antonio-Fire Emergency Services and the NFPA offers these safety tips for a safe holiday season.

Picking the tree

• Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.

Placing the tree

• Before placing the tree in the stand, cut two inches from the base of the trunk.
• Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.
• Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.
• Add water to the tree stand. Be sure to add water daily.

Lighting the tree

• Use lights that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use.
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.
• Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect.
• Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
• Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

After Christmas

• Get rid of the tree after Christmas or when it is dry. Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage, or placed outside against the home.
• Check with your local community to find a recycling program.
• Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and make them last longer.

Christmas tree fast facts

• Nearly one of every three home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems.
• Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur, they are more likely to be serious.
• A heat source too close to the tree causes roughly one in every four of the fires.

Holiday decorating

• Be careful with holiday decorations. Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
• Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.
• Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect.
• Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.
• Keep decorations away from windows and doors.

Holiday entertaining

• Test your smoke alarms and tell guests about your home fire escape plan.
• Keep children and pets away from lit candles.
• Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet.
• Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop.
• Ask smokers to smoke outside. Remind smokers to keep their smoking materials with them so young children do not touch them.
• Provide large, deep ashtrays for smokers. Wet cigarette butts with water before discarding.

Decorating fast facts

• More than a third of home decorations fires started by candles.
• Forty-two percent of decoration fires happen because decorations are placed too close to a heat source.
• Blow out lit candles when you leave the room or go to bed.
• Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving home or going to bed.

JBSA-Fire Emergency Services reminds you as you deck the halls this holiday season, be fire smart. For more information about winter holiday safety, visit the National Fire Prevention Association website at http://www.nfpa.org/education  or contact the Fire Prevention Offices at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston at 210-221-2727, at JBSA-Lackland at 210-671-2921 or at JBSA-Randolph at 210-652-6915.