Fire prevention officer offers reminders on safety for holidays

Statistics from the Electrical Safety Foundation International show that 260 house fires begin with Christmas trees each year, resulting in 12 deaths, 24 injuries and about $16.4 million in property damage on average. An additional 150 house fires begin with holiday lights and other lighting causing another eight deaths, 16 injuries and about $8.9 million in property damage on average each year. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that roughly 25,000 house fires, per year, are also related to the use of space heaters. Of those 25,000, many result in trips to the emergency room and more than 300 fatalities each year. Forrest City Fire Department Fire Safety and Prevention officer Justin Sharp said these statistics combined with numerous other things are something residents should be mindful of during each holiday season. "As Christmas is getting closer, a lot of people have already done their decorations, but some are getting ready to break out the lights and trees and get into the festive spirit," said Sharp. "There are a lot of things to be mindful of during the holiday season, including how to light your homes and Christmas trees and have a safe and happy holiday." Sharp said that when decorating a home for Christmas, be sure to use devices rated for decorations. "When working on exterior lighting for Christmas, make sure to use heavy-duty, outdoor-rated extension cords for the lights and decorations," said Sharp. "Don't go to the dollar store to get your extension cords. They are not rated for outside use and they are not the best quality. Also, don't leave the lights and decorations up all of the time. It is dangerous to keep them on and running all of the time because the risk of fire becomes a greater issue. You can buy lighting timers at the store to keep them from being on all of the time." According to Sharp, keeping a live tree watered is an important step for those who enjoying having a live tree for Christmas. "When we talk about Christmas trees, we have to remember not to leave these on all night either," said Sharp. "The lights can get hot enough to potentially set that alight as well. If you plan on using a real tree, be sure to keep water in the pan so that it doesn't dry out. Once a live tree has dried out, it becomes a torch. They can go up in flames very quickly." Sharp said that as the temperatures drop in the area, it is important to also have furnaces and chimneys inspected by professionals before using them. "With colder weather setting in, I know a lot of people will be looking for a little extra warmth, but be cautious when using space heaters," said Sharp. "I would recommend not using a space heater at all if possible. They can be very dangerous. Be sure to have your furnaces or chimneys checked as well by professionals to be safe." According to Sharp, space heaters can be an extreme hazard when used unattended or when not used properly. "If someone finds themselves in need of using a space heater, don't hook them up to extension cords or surge protectors. They can get overloaded very quickly," said Sharp. "Extension cords are for temporary use and most are not built to pull the electricity needed for space heaters so they can become a fire hazard. Never leave a space heater on unattended or while sleeping. When using a space heater, be sure to keep them at least three feet away from any furniture, bedding or clothing as well. Also, never use a gas stove to warm a home."

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