Stamford Officials, Fire Department Urge Fire Safety for the Holidays

Stamford officials including Mayor David Martin, the Director of Public Safety, Health and Welfare Ted Jankowski and the Stamford Fire Department urge city residents to practice fire safety this season when celebrating the holidays.

They collectively issued the following release concerning fire safety for the holidays:

"When most people think about the holidays, family festivities and good cheer likely come to mind. In many homes, this means a log on the fire, a trimmed tree or a menorah glowing brightly. All these signs of the season bring feelings of comfort and joy to families. But what you may not realize is that they also bring an increased risk of fire in the home.

The winter months are the peak times for home candle and heating fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Almost half of all home decoration fires are started by candles, while 38% of home heating fires started in fireplaces or chimneys.

This year Mayor David Martin, the Director of Public Safety, Health and Welfare Ted Jankowski, and Fire Chief Peter Brown’s holiday wish is for all Stamford residents to have a merry, bright and SAFE holiday season. By recognizing holiday fire hazards and using a little extra caution, you can help keep your home full of comfort and joy.

When decking the halls, choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant and keep them away from candles or any other heat source. Not all holiday lights are made equal so be sure that you know whether yours are for indoor or outdoor use and be sure to replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged. Do not overload electrical extension cords.

If you have an artificial tree, be sure it’s labeled, certified or identified by the manufacturer as fire-retardant. If you choose a fresh tree, make sure the green needles don’t fall off when touched; before placing it in the stand, cut 2” from the base of the trunk. Add water to the tree stand, and be sure to water it daily. Make sure your tree is not blocking an exit, and is at least three feet away from any heat source. Never use lit candles to decorate the tree and always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving the home or going to bed.

Consider using flameless candles, which look and smell like real candles. If using candles they should be in sturdy holder and placed on an uncluttered surface at least 12” away from anything that can burn. Lit candles should not be placed in windows where a blind or curtain could catch fire. Never leave a child alone in a room with a burning candle and never leave a lit candle unattended. Blow out candles when you leave the room or go to bed.

Have your chimney inspected and cleaned annually by a professional. Never leave a fireplace unattended. Make sure that your fireplace has a sturdy screen and keep kids and combustibles at least three feet away. Allow fireplace ashes to cool before disposing of them. Place ashes in a tightly covered metal container using metal fireplace tools and keep the ash container outside, at least 10 feet away from your home, other nearby buildings and from any combustible material.

Douse and saturate the ashes with water. Never dispose of ash using paper or plastic bags, plastic containers, cardboard boxes or a trash can.

When cooking, stay in the kitchen and keep an eye on the stove. Keep a lid nearby to smother small grease fires. Slide the lid over the pan and turn off the stovetop. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled. For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. Never throw water on a grease fire. If you have a cooking fire, alert everyone and get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire and call 911 immediately.

Lastly, make sure that you have properly installed and maintained smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in the home. Properly installed and maintained smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are the only thing in the home that can alert individuals and families of fire and carbon monoxide 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

By recognizing holiday fire hazards and using a little extra caution, you can help keep your loved ones safe from fire this season and your home full of comfort and joy."

To see just how devastating fire can be to a Christmas tree, click here.