‘Tis the Season for Fire Safety – Tips on How to Avoid House Fires This Time of Year

Every year there are always stories about how people's houses catch fire. Their home is ablaze, all of their presents turned to ash and it was usually caused by something that was 100% preventable.

"It takes only seconds for a tree to ignite and the entire room to become engulfed in flames,"

-State Fire Marshal Charles Duffy.

Here are a few tips to ensure you stay safe this holiday season.

Artificial Trees:

• Make sure the artificial tree is flame retardant.

Natural Christmas Tree:

• Check the needles. They should be green and hard to pluck out. If needles begin to fall, it has dried out and is now a fire hazard.
• They recommend, before setting up your tree, cut the base of the tree at a 45 degrees and put in water. Keep the base filled with water.
• Keep your tree away from any heat sources. Not just fireplaces but also radiators, space heaters, floor vents - anything with heat as it will cause your tree to dehydrate.

I'll add it's always a good idea to keep a fire extinguish nearby. If you have any tips you'd like to add, do so in the comments below.