PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — ‘Tis the season for fire hazards, but the Philadelphia Fire Department wants to make sure everyone’s holiday season is safe and hazard-free.
At a Friday event at the department’s administration building in Old City, officials went over tree safety guidelines for the holidays. Fire Commissioner Adam Thiel said it’s important to take the necessary precautions in order to minimize risks.
“When we used to do this event … I would see folks roll their eyes and say, ‘What's the big deal?’” he recalled, bringing up the 2022 Fairmount Fire as an example that “convinced everybody that this is a problem.”
Battalion Chief Gustav Baumann said that families that choose to have live trees need to choose a pliable tree. Branches that bend are well-hydrated. “By the time you can determine that a tree is dried out it has already been so for, most likely, over a week,” he said.
Baumann recommended families cut 2 inches off the bottom of their trees, then place them in a stand to soak up water. He also urged families to keep trees away from heaters and to water them daily, to keep them from drying out quickly.
However, it isn’t just trees that pose a threat this holiday season. “We know there are other holiday traditions that also involve potential fire causes. Anything with candles — and we know that we're in Hanukkah now, Kwanzaa will soon be upon us — please be careful with candles,” Thiel pleaded.
He also urged people to embrace year-round vigilance. “Over the past week we've had three of our neighbors die in fires across the city. One of our firefighters is currently recovering after declaring a mayday during a very severe fire,” Thiel said.
Keith Warren, deputy commissioner of streets, said removing the tree after the holidays also decreases the risk of a fire at home. The Streets Department runs a tree recycling program from Jan. 2-13, in partnership with the Morris Arboretum’s goat program.
“You make a donation, and your kids can take the trees that are recycled on Saturday events and feed them to goats,” said Warren. “The children seem to have a lot of fun.”
Baumann also reminded people to test their smoke alarms — and said they make affordable gifts.
“Don’t forget to either order a smoke alarm and purchase one yourself, or call 311.”