Fire safety reminders for the holiday season

Added lighting, open flames add to hazards
A burning Christmas Tree is just one fire hazard to avoid this holiday season
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Fire and electrocution are two major, but avoidable hazards, this holiday season.

Gordon Kotars, speaking for the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York (FASNY) has these tips:

~Keep stockings and other decorations away from heat and flames. Most are not made of fire retardant materials

~Holiday candles are often decorated, but the flame can melt or burn those decorations and create a fire hazard

~If light strings have frayed wires, throw them out, because tape repairs can increase shock and fire hazards

~Broken bulbs need to be replaced completely

~Use appropriate extension cords. Indoor ones should not go outside, and outside ones have to be rated high enough to handle the amount of lighting put on them

~Keep your live Christmas Tree hydrated, if it dries it creates a fire hazard. Pine burns quickly and explosively