Smart Planning, Fire Sprinklers a Winning Combo This Holiday Season

Did you know your holiday home décor choices can impact your safety?

This holiday season, the Madison Fire Department (MFD) and the National Fire Sprinkler Association Wisconsin Chapter (NFSA) are teaming up to share important advice for making safe choices during "the most wonderful time of the year!" Together, they also remind renters and home buyers that automatic sprinklers are uniquely designed to protect your home, yourself, and your loved ones if a fire does occur.

Candles

Candles are particularly popular this time of year, so it’s important to know that half of all candle fires in the U.S. started because a flammable piece of décor was placed too close to the lit candle. The MFD and NFSA encourage consumers to choose battery-powered, flameless LED candles. These newer products have the warm glow and flicker of real candles without the fire hazard.

If using real candles, be sure to place them on a noncombustible surface and keep them at least 12 inches from other objects, especially Christmas trees. Use candle holders that are sturdy, won’t tip over, and are placed on uncluttered surfaces. Avoid using candles in the bedroom, where over one-third of U.S. candle fires begin, or other areas where people may fall asleep. Use them in areas that children and pets cannot get to. Only burn candles when you are in the same room; do not leave candles unattended.

Holiday Lights

If brighten your home or Christmas tree with string lights, be sure to use lights that have a "UL" mark on them. This means your lights have been safety tested and pose less risk of a fire hazard. Additionally, LED lights generate less heat, which means they are less likely to ignite objects resting against them, like pine needles or wrapping paper.

Do not use old lights that show signs of wear, like frayed or exposed wires. If you need to dispose of old holiday lights, bring them to a City of Madison drop-off site and recycle them with the electronics. Do not put them in your home recycling cart because they will jam up the recycling stream.

If you have a pet prone to chewing on electric cords, find ways to keep your pet isolated from the cords or choose to skip the holiday lights this year. Consider other decorations, like colorful garland, instead!

Electricity 

If you're inspired by the Griswolds to light up the neighborhood, don't take a page out of their book when it comes to using power strips and extension cords! Never overload a power strip, and do not "daisy chain" your extension cords. This is important to remember throughout the year, but especially so when lighting up the night with an extra burst of holiday cheer.

Safe Care and Disposal of your Christmas Tree

Although Christmas tree fires are not common, such fires grow very fast and are especially dangerous when they do occur. Real Christmas trees must be watered regularly throughout the season. This helps keep the branches and needles hydrated. Remember, a dry tree is a more flammable tree!

Choose a fresh tree with green needles that don’t fall off easily. Cut two inches off the bottom of the base of the trunk before placing it in the stand. This helps it more readily absorb water. 

Place your tree at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, space heaters, radiators, candles, and heat vents. Take measures to ensure the tree will not fall over. Make sure the tree is secured in the tree stand and keep curious pets that may be prone to climbing the tree away from it.

When the holiday season comes to an end, remove any string lights from the tree, and safely dispose of your tree in a timely manner. The City of Madison Street Division offers free collection of your Christmas tree starting January 6. Simply place your tree on the curb or take your tree to a City of Madison Streets Division Drop-Off Site. Get more information.

If you have an artificial tree, make sure it’s labeled, certified or identified by the manufacturer as fire-retardant.

Home Fire Sprinklers Save Lives

With increased activity around the holidays, the chance of home fires also rises. Unattended cooking remains the number one cause of home fires and a leading cause of fire-related death. But with other changes in habits around the holidays – including increased use of candles, lights, and electricity – other hazards enter the picture.

The MFD and NFSA remind you that automatic fire sprinklers are a proven, effective way to protect yourself and your family. When a fire occurs, automatic fire sprinklers activate to douse the fire, keeping it in check or in some cases extinguishing it entirely, until firefighters arrive. Fire sprinklers allow you the time you need to escape your home. People protected by automatic fire sprinklers are significantly less likely to be injured or die because of a home fire. Renters and home buyers are encouraged to choose a residence protected by home fire sprinklers.

For more information about the life-saving capabilities of home fire sprinklers, visit nfsa.org.