Firefighters Stress Fire Safety as Holiday Season Draws Near

The state’s firefighters remind you to remember fire safety as you continue your last-minute holiday preparations.

Members of the Firemen’s Association of the State of New York say several fire hazards come to the forefront during the holidays. Firefighters say the number of cooking-related fires triples between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Trees and presents also create concerns, but they’re safe as long as they’re not kept near heat sources.

Real trees should be watered often. Common sense should also be used when lighting candles.

“Have a general fire safety awareness. I say this, I can’t stress enough – have it all year. Have escape plans, have your smoke detectors tested yearly. Check the batteries, change your batteries,” said Frontier Volunteer Fire Company Lt. Mark Wright.

Anyone putting lights up should check the strings to make sure there are no frayed lights or cords.