Put aFREEZE on Winter Holiday Fires

It’s fun to decorate for the winter holidays, but holiday decorations can increase your risk for a home fire. As you deck the halls this season, be fire smart.

1. Half of the home decoration fires in December are started by candles.  More than 1/3 of home decoration fires are started by candles.
   Christmas is the peak day for candle fires.
2. Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that burns.
3. A dry Christmas tree can burn very hot and very fast.
4. More than 1 in every 5 Christmas tree fires were caused by a heat source too close to the tree.
5. Read manufacturer’s instructions for the number of light strands to connect.
6. Make sure your tree is at least 3 feet away from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, candles or heat vents. Also, make sure your tree does not block exits.
7. Get rid of your tree after Christmas or when it is dry.