news@breezenewspapers.com

Fire safety is important all year round, but the Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District warns residents to be extra careful during the winter holidays. Festive celebrations, an array of streamed lights and decorated trees are all part of the holiday season, but they can also present fire risks that can turn festivities into a potential tragedy.

The LAFCRD is working to educate residents about potential fire risks during the holidays, offering tips, videos, and other resources to help everyone stay safe this season.

“After this tough year, we anticipate that people will add to their displays and decorations to brighten up the holidays. Home fire fatalities increase during the winter, and many of these fires are preventable. We want everyone to have a safe and happy holiday season so we encourage decorating safely, staying mindful of fire risks,” said Katie Heck, Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District spokesperson.

LAFCRD’s Facebook video gives facts and tips for decorating Christmas trees this season.

“Home fire fatalities increase during the winter. In fact, a heat source too close to the Christmas tree causes 1 in 4 winter fires. Keep that in mind as you plug in your space heater or electric fireplace,” LAFCRD warns. “Be thoughtful about the placement of your decorations and keep your tree hydrated to put a freeze on winter fires.”

Christmas tree safety video: https://www.facebook.com/LehighAcresFD/videos/1027345254433203

According to the National Fire Prevention Association, proper safety measures can help ensure the holiday season is a safe one. On their website, NFPA listed the following winter holiday fire statistics:

• Electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in almost half of home Christmas tree fires.

• More than two of every five home Christmas tree fires started in the living room. Five percent were chimney or flue fires. One-fifth of the decoration fires started in the kitchen. Sixteen percent started in the living room, family room or den.

• Half of December home decoration fires were started by candles, compared to one-third in January to November.

The NFPA also stated the following statistic on Christmas tree and decoration fires.

Between the years 2014-2018, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 160 home fires per year, which started with Christmas trees. U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 770  home  structure fires per year that began with decorations alone.

Christmas tree disposal can pose another issue following the holiday season. The trees are combustible items that become increasingly flammable as they continue to dry out. More than one-quarter of Christmas tree, home fires occur in January.

Be sure to dispose of Christmas trees before they become extremely dry. Most county waste management departments provide specific yard waste pickup services along with normal garbage pickup services. Call or check online to find out the details about local Christmas tree pickup.

Another winter, holiday danger includes space heaters. “Space heaters need space” is the key message to reduce the risk of home heating fires this December, January and February, when half of all U.S. heating home fires occur.

“We see an increase in home fires related to heating equipment. Nationwide, December is a peak month for home candle fires, in addition to being a peak month for fires related to portable space heaters,” Heck said.

According to LAFCRD website, space heaters annually account for 40 percent of reported U.S. home heating fires.

“We encourage everyone to practice extreme caution when using space heaters this season. Keep things that can burn at least three feet away from space heaters, and create a three-foot “kid-free zone” around them,” Heck continued.

Easy tips to follow when using portable electric heaters may also be found at:  https://www.lehighfd.com/community/page/safety-tips-portable-space-heaters

  For more on holiday, fire safety visit the National Fire Protection Association at www.nfpa.org