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Winter Holiday Safety Bulletin
Read the full National Fire Protection Association document here
Winter holidays are a time for families and friends to get together. But that also means a greater risk for fire. Following a few simple tips will ensure a happy and fire-safe holiday season.
Holiday decorating
- Be careful with holiday decorations. Choose decorations that are fame resistant or fame retardant.
- Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.
- Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
- Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect.
- Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords to not get damaged.
- Keep decorations away from windows and doors.
Holiday Entertaining
- Test your smoke alarms and tell guests about your home fire escape plan
- Keep children and pets away from lit candles
- Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet
- Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stove top.
- Ask smokers to smoke outside. Remind smokers to keep their smoking materials with them so young children to do not touch them.
- Provide large, deep ashtrays for smokers. Wet cigarette butts with water before discarding.
Please Water Your Christmas Tree
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), more than 200 home fires each year start with a Christmas tree. In this video, NIST fire researchers demonstrate what could happen if a fire starts in a watered Christmas tree vs. a dry Christmas tree.
Christmas Tree Safety Tips Opens a New Window.
More Christmas Tree Safety Tips Opens a New Window.
Local Fire Marshal Duties
We are bringing to your attention the many varied and important duties that are required of and performed by the local fire marshal.
Each year, the number of fires, as well as deaths and traumatic injuries from fire, increase throughout the country. We cannot emphasize strongly enough the importance of the duties of the local fire marshals as they relate to life safety and protection of property from fire within the community.
Each community must recognize the responsibilities vested at the local level and should afford the local fire marshal the necessary assistance and cooperation required to fulfill their statutory mandates.
Local fire marshals are responsible for the enforcement of many of the sections found in Chapter 541 of the Connecticut General Statutes, as well as numerous codes that are promulgated under the provision of these statutes.
We are bringing to your attention the many varied and important duties that are required of and performed by the local fire marshal.
Each year, the number of fires, as well as deaths and traumatic injuries from fire, increase throughout the country. We cannot emphasize strongly enough the importance of the duties of the local fire marshals as they relate to life safety and protection of property from fire within the community.
Each community must recognize the responsibilities vested at the local level and should afford the local fire marshal the necessary assistance and cooperation required to fulfill their statutory mandates.
Local fire marshals are responsible for the enforcement of many of the sections found in Chapter 541 of the Connecticut General Statutes, as well as numerous codes that are promulgated under the provision of these statutes.