Johns Creek FD says keep holidays from going up in flames

by Staff reports
December 23, 2009
JOHNS CREEK – The Johns Creek Fire Department encourages everyone to remember fire safety during the winter holiday season, when cooking, home decorating and entertaining bring an increased risk of home fires.


According to the National Fire Protection Association, each year about 250 home fires start with Christmas trees, causing an average 14 deaths, 26 injuries and $13.8 million in property damage. About 14,800 home fires are started by candles, with an average 160 deaths, 1,340 injuries and $471 million in property damage.

"As everyone gets busier during the holidays, we often become rushed, distracted or tired," said Johns Creek Fire Marshall Chad McGiboney. "That's when home fires are more likely to occur. But by taking some preventative steps and following simple rules of thumb, most home fires can be prevented."

• Make sure artificial trees are labeled and certified as fire-retardant.

• Water fresh trees every day, and make sure they are at least three feet away from any heat source (fireplaces, space heaters, candles and heat vents).

• Use lights labeled as tested by an independent testing laboratory, and make sure you know whether they are designed for indoor or outdoor use. Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb

connections.

• Turn off tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

• Stay in the kitchen while you're frying, grilling or broiling food on the stove top. Use a timer when you're simmering, boiling, baking or roasting food and check on it

regularly.

• Create a "kid-free zone" of at least three feet around the stove.

• Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn and remember to blow them out when you leave the room or go to bed.

• After Christmas, get rid of the tree. Dried-out trees are a fire hazard and should not be left in the home or garage or placed outside the home. Keep Johns Creek Beautiful will be recycling Christmas trees Saturday, Jan. 9 at the Home Depot, 5950 State Bridge Road in Johns Creek.

"The holiday season is also a good time to check the condition of your smoke alarms. Sixty-five percent of home fire deaths happen in homes with no smoke alarms or non-working alarms. When there is a fire, smoke spreads fast and you need smoke alarms to give you time to get out," said McGiboney.