Winter Holiday Safety

December 20, 2019 12:13 PM
by Suzanne Post

This article originally appeared in the December edition of Seascape.

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As winter arrives, we’d like our fellow Santa Monicans to keep in mind that home fires increase during the winter months and during the holidays. Travel and entertaining can create distractions, and colder weather means using more heating sources. Please keep these quick safety tips in mind to help keep you and your family safe.

CHRISTMAS TREES

• Just before placing the tree in the stand, cut 1–2” from the base of the trunk to help it absorb water properly.

• Water your tree daily, and never, ever, use lit candles to decorate the tree.

• Use lights that have a certification label from an independent testing laboratory (such as UL labs).

• Keep Christmas trees, and anything flammable, three feet from any heat source.

• Don’t overload electrical outlets, and be sure you’re using surge protectors, not just power strips.

• Replace any strings of lights with worn or broken cords, or loose bulb connections.

• Connect no more than three strands of mini string sets together, and use a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulb type strands.

• Remember your Christmas tree is probably very dry if you still have it in your house on Valentine’s Day! Be sure to dispose of your tree. Falling needles = dispose, recycle.

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IN YOUR HOME

• Never use your oven to heat your home.

• Install and maintain smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Test them monthly.

• Have heating equipment and chimneys cleaned and inspected yearly.

• Turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.

• Make sure the fireplace has a sturdy screen to stop sparks from flying into the room.

• Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop.

• Use flameless candles.

• Review a home fire escape plan with family and guests.

For more information from SMFD, visit SantaMonicaFire.org.

Authored By

Suzanne Post
Fire Safety Coordinator