Detroit Fire Department offers holiday fire safety tips

2024
  • As Christmas trees dry out, they become highly flammable and a huge fire risk
  • US Fire Departments respond to an average of 835 fires related to holiday decorations each year, excluding Christmas trees
  • Candle and cooking fires increase during the holiday season

 

In an effort to keep Detroiters safe this holiday season, the Detroit Fire Department is sharing important information to help our residents avoid home fires related to holiday decorations, including live Christmas trees and candles. Cooking fires also increase this time of year as families and friends gather to celebrate.

The Detroit Fire Department’s Public Instruction Unit, led by Captain Edward Davis under the direction of Fire Marshal Don Thomas, took the lead at today’s live burn event, where members of the media were able to see firsthand just how fast a dry Christmas tree fire becomes dangerous and potentially life-threatening.

“It only takes a few breaths in a room filled with smoke for a person to become unconscious, which usually results in a fatality,” said Captain Davis. “We want to make sure everyone who brings a live tree into their home takes the proper precautions to ensure their holiday doesn’t end up in disaster.”

Christmas trees

Twinkling lights and holiday greens are a beautiful way to celebrate the season, but steps must be taken to ensure your holiday doesn’t take a turn for the worst. Although Christmas tree fires aren’t common, when they happen, they can be extremely disastrous. Between 2018-2022, US fire departments responded to an average of 155 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year. According to NFPA, electrical distribution or lighting equipment were involved in more than two in five (41%) home Christmas tree fires. Nearly one of every five (20%) Christmas tree fires were started by lamps or bulbs, and eleven percent were started by candles.

  • When you choose a tree, make sure when you touch the branches, the needles don’t fall off as this will tell you it’s still fresh.
  • If possible, cut two inches from the base of the trunk before placing it in water.
  • It’s essential live trees remain watered from the time you bring them home from the store, tree lot or tree farm and are then watered daily.
  • Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.
  • If you are lighting the tree indoors, make sure you are using lights labeled for indoor use.
  • Replace any broken light strands and check manufacturer’s instructions for how many lights are able to be strung together.
  • Never light a tree with candles.
  • Always turn tree lights off before going to bed.
  • When you’re done with your tree, make sure it’s taken outside. Dried out trees should never be left inside the home or garage or leaned up against the home.

Watch this video by the Consumer Product Safety Commission for a visual on how quickly a tree fire can fill a room with smoke: https://youtu.be/xr6b9b8FYKk.

Tree safety pic1
Tree safety pic2
It took less than 15 seconds for this tree, once lit, to become fully engulfed with flames. A tree fire like this could become deadly in a short amount of time. To prevent tree fires, ensure live trees are well watered and keep any source of ignition from live trees.

 

Other holiday decorations and entertaining

Winter holidays are a great reason to gather with friends and family, but the Detroit Fire Department wants to make sure everyone stays fire safe. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 835 home structure fires per year that began with decorations, excluding Christmas trees. These fires caused an annual average of 3 civilian fire deaths, 30 civilian fire injuries and $14 million in direct property damage.

When decorating and entertaining, these simple tips can help make sure you stay safe:

  • Keep lit candles away from flammable decorations and other things that can burn.
  • Some lights are for indoor or outdoor, others are not.
  • Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords don’t get damaged.
  • Keep decorations away from windows and doors in case there’s a fire, you need a way out.
  • Test your smoke alarms before entertaining and share your fire escape plan with any guests visiting.
  • Keep children and pets away from lit candles.
  • Keep matches and lighters safe and away from children.
  • Ask smokers to smoke outside and provide deep large ashtrays.
  • Blow out any lit candles when you leave the room and do a double check before bed.
  • Turn off all light strings and decorations using electricity before leaving home or going to bed.

Candle safety

Candles can be beautiful, and in many religions are used to help celebrate special occasions and holidays, but it’s important to remember they’re a leading cause of house fires – and home fire fatalities. According to the NFPA, candle fires peak in December and January, with 11 percent of home fires caused by candles during these months. More than a third of candle fires started in the bedroom.

Please review these important candle safety tips if you have candles in your home:

  • Blow out all candles when you leave the room or go to bed.
  • Avoid using candles in the bedroom and other areas where people may fall asleep and forget to blow them out.
  • Keep candles at least one foot away from anything that can burn.
  • Never leave a child alone in a room with a burning candle.
  • Keep matches and lighters up high, out of sight and reach, or in a locked cabinet.
  • Use candle holders that are sturdy and won’t tip over.
  • Put candle holders on a flat, uncluttered surface.
  • Use care when lighting a candle, make sure your hair and any loose clothing are not in danger of catching fire.
  • Don’t burn a candle all the way down, put it out before the flame gets too close to the holder or container.
  • Never use a candle if oxygen is used in the home.
  • Have flashlights on hand in case of a power outage, do not use candles.

Holiday cooking safety

These tips are important year-round, but during the holidays, many people seem to become a chef overnight and don’t have the information they need to stay safe. Cooking fires are one of the biggest causes of home fires in the City of Detroit. Many happen when residents are mixing drinking with cooking and not taking precautions to stay safe.

If you’re in charge of the holiday meal, or even bringing a dish, please review these important safety tips:

  • If you are sleepy or have consumed alcohol, don’t use the stove or stovetop.
  • Stay in the kitchen while you are frying, boiling, grilling, or broiling food. If you leave the kitchen even for a short period of time, turn off the stove first.
  • If you are simmering, baking, or roasting food, check it regularly, stay in the home and use a timer to remind you that you’re cooking.
  • Keep anything that can catch fire – oven mitts, wooden utensils, food packaging, towels, or curtains – away from your stovetop.
  • Have a child-free zone of at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared or carried. (try to keep the kiddos out of the kitchen while you’re cooking)

If you have a small (grease) cooking fire and decide to try to stop it:

  • On the stovetop, smother the flames by carefully sliding a lid over the pan and turning off the burner. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled.
  • For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed.

If you have any fire and aren’t sure you can fight it:

  • Just get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire.
  • Call 911 and report the fire, wait for the experts to come take care of it for you!

City of Detroit residents who have questions about fire safety can go to the Detroit Fire Department’s website at detroitmi.gov for more information.