(Atlantic) Christmas is the most beautiful time of year, with lights, decorations, and Christmas trees, and it can also be the most dangerous time of the year for fire hazards.
Atlantic Fire Chief Tom Cappel talks about avoiding Christmas decoration fires. Chief Cappell people will begin putting up Christmas trees, whether natural or pre-fabricated. “People need to make sure and keep the natural trees watered,” stated Cappel. “Those trees with Christmas lights on them become highly flammable when they dry out. So keeping watering the base of those trees and that will eliminate a lot of problems.”
Chief Cappel says all extension cords not hooked to the lights should be of 12-gauge wire. “That is the cord attached to the that comes from the factory,’ said Cappel. “If a plugin cannot be reached using at least a 12-gauge extension cord with a three-prong grounded plugin, and make sure the house receptacle is grounded properly. That way, if something does happen and it throws a surge, it will cut the power and keep from throwing juice to it.”
Cappel says “piggybacking” or plugging one extension cord into another extension is a BIG no-no. “I’m as guilty as anyone, but external plugins use your standard plugins, extensions, and adapters, and make sure when using plugin extenders, they have another six-to-eight outside weather-capable plugins.
Chief Cappel says never hang anything attached to sprinkler heads or piping, emergency lighting units, and fire alarm detectors. He says be careful not to visually obstruct a person’s view of fire alarm stations, exit signs, emergency lighting, and fire extinguishers. In addition to that, always blow out lit candles when leaving home.
Saturday Morning News
