PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The holidays are a joyous time, but they can also be a dangerous time. Decorations make the holiday festive, but they can be fire hazards if families aren’t careful.
Jack Eltman, recording secretary of International Association of Fire Local 22, said one thing to watch out for is the use of extension cords.
"People using multiple extension cords, old extension cords,” he said, “plugs that do not have the breakers on them and the automatic shut-offs — those are big issues we have."
People often wait until the holidays to fish them out of the attic or basement, leaving them to bake in the summer and chill during the winter. Eltman says keeping them in a consistent atmosphere is a good idea, but inspecting them is crucial.
“I don't think that you are going to have to automatically replace an extension cord just based on age," he said. "It's more about the condition of the cord itself — the sheathing on it, cracking, or anything like that. Yes, definitely throw it out and buy a new one. No reason to take your life or your family's life in hand."
He also stresses not running them under the carpet, or anything else, “especially if you are going to be in a high-traffic area."
Another safety concern during the holiday season is Christmas trees. They are beautiful, but Eltman says they require special attention.
“You have to keep them properly watered. But toward the end … they start drying out. No matter what it is — a furnace, hot water, heating equipment, heater, wood stove, and Christmas tree, anything that can burn or give off heat, you stay three feet away,” he cautioned.
That means not placing a lot of extra decorations around your tree. It’s also imperative to ensure the tree doesn’t block any exits.
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The National Fire Prevention Association says fire departments nationwide respond to nearly 800 Christmas decoration fires per year. The fires kill at least one civilian on average each year and injure 26 others.
Fire departments respond to around 160 Christmas tree fires each year. Between 2016 and 2022, Christmas tree fires caused an annual average of two deaths and 11 injuries.
They say now is also a good time to check your smoke alarms and make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector. Ideally, families should have one on every level of their home, but if you can only afford one, make sure it is in the hallway of your sleeping area.
Fire professionals also urge families to close bedroom doors at night, as it can be the difference between life and death in a fast-moving fire to protect people from heat and smoke.