HFD Holiday Safety

Christmas Trees

The Houston Fire Department encourages citizens to safely dispose of the tree when it begins dropping needles. The dried-out trees should not be left in the house, garage or against the house. 

• Buy them as fresh as possible, not brown, no needles falling, etc.
• Put a fresh diagonal cut, about an inch off the bottom, so water will flow through. Place in a secure base and keep water or wet sand in the base, or use products designed to keep trees fresh.
• Make sure the tree is far enough away (at least 3 feet) from any sort of heat (fireplace, candles, etc.).
• Contact your regular disposal places, don't try to burn the tree yourself.
• Dispose of tree as soon as season is over.

Lights

• Make sure they are UL listed.
• Don't use any more than 3 strands on a run (follow manufactures instructions).
• Make sure there is no frayed wiring.
• It is preferable to use smaller bulbs with less heat.
• Never use lights when not at home or asleep.

Fireplace

• Use a screen at the base of the fireplace. Use a flash arrester at the top of the chimney to keep the sparks off the roof.
• Never use any paper or flammable liquids in the fireplace.
• To set the fire: Make sure the damper is open before building the fire. Use aged wood and an approved product designed for igniting a fire in a fireplace. OR use a gas fired log lighter that has been installed by a licensed plumber and purchased through a reliable company. Read labels to make sure you are using the correct item for that designed purpose.

Portable Space Heaters

• Do not use extension cords on electrical heaters.
• Make sure wires are in good condition.
• When purchasing a heater, check to see if it has a safety switch (when it falls over, it will cut off).

Gas Heaters

• Make sure they have copper flexible threaded connectors rather than rubber hose (American Gas Association Seal).
• Use soapy water to check for leaks. Never use a match.
• You will want a blue flame to make sure it is not putting off too much carbon monoxide. A blue flame produces less hazardous carbon monoxide.
• Make sure you have enough ventilation for the recommended size room and heater.
• Keep heater away from anything combustible (at least 3 feet) and secure,so as not to tip over.

Candles

• Only use candle with base large enough to contain melted wax.
• Secure base to avoid candle from tipping over.
• Avoid leaving unattended. Be especially alert in keeping children away from candles.

Party Safety

Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires, so, the Houston Fire Department would like to remind citizens to remember to keep an eye on the range when cooking.

Cigarettes can smolder for hours, starting a fire hours after the party guest have gone home. To help prevent such a tragedy, the NFPA recommends the following safety tips:

• Provide plenty of large, deep ashtrays, checking them frequently.
• Cigarettes can smolder in the trash, so completely douse them with water before discarding them.
• After a party, always check on, between and under upholstery and cushions inside trashcans for cigarette butts that may be smoldering.
• Keep matches and lighters up high, out of the reach of children. When smokers visit your home, ask them to keep their smoking materials with them so young children do not touch them.
  

Drinking: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, in on New Year's eve 2000, 40 percent of traffic accidents involved alcohol, resulting in 32 fatalities. Keep an eye on people who are drinking and make sure that they have a designated driver. Never let someone drink and drive.

Fireworks: all fireworks are banned in Houston. It is illegal to discharge fireworks or to have fireworks in your possession. 

Smoke Detectors: The silence of smoke detectors that do not work could be deadly! Make note that there are three types of detectors. 1) Ionization works faster in a flaming fire, 2) Photoelectric works faster in a slow smoldering fire and 3) Dual Sensor works as fast in either type of fire.

Location

• Wall mount (place 4 to 12 inches from the ceiling).
• Ceiling mount (place at least 4 inches from any wall).
• High pitch ceilings (place three feet from the highest point).
• Don't install near window, door, air register or ceiling fan.
• Place at least one smoke detector on each level (minimum of one detector outside each sleeping area).

Maintenance

• Change battery once a year or when making a chirping-like sound. We suggest you change the battery in the spring or fall when you change the time on your clock.
• Test smoke detector once a month. 
• Vacuum the vents in the detector at least once a year. 
• Always follow the manufacturer's recommendations. 
• The National Fire Protection Association recommends that you replace your smoke detector every ten years.
• CHECK YOUR BATTERY! According to the National Fire Protection Association, 92 percent of all homes in America have smoke detectors installed. However, over one third of these do not work. A dead or missing battery is the primary cause of smoke detector failure.