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HOLIDAY FIRE SAFETY
We think of the holidays as happy
times, a chance to celebrate with
family and friends. The Steuben County
Office of Emergency Services wants to wish you and your family a safe
and happy
holiday season, and offers the following suggestions to keep your
holiday safe:
- When
purchasing a live tree, look for the following signs of
freshness. A fresh tree is green. Needles will be hard to
pull from the
branches when bent between your fingers. When a fresh tree is bounced
on the ground
a limited number of needles should fall off the tree.
- To keep your tree
fresh, cut off about two inches of the trunk to expose fresh wood for
better
absorption of water. Keep your tree
stored outside the house until you are ready to decorate.
Remember to keep the tree stand filled with
water.
- When placing your tree,
make sure it is kept far from sources of heat, like fireplaces or heat
vents,
and away from high traffic areas.
- Check out your lights
before placing them on the tree. Look for worn or frayed wires and
broken
bulbs. Never use lights that don't work
properly. Make sure you do not overload
extension cords and outlets.
- Take care when using
candles. Keep them away from other
flammable decorations. Place them where
they cannot be knocked over or reached by children or animals. Do
not leave lit candles in an unattended
room.
- Make sure your smoke
detectors are working properly. If
you'll be traveling to visit family and you're not sure if they have a
smoke
detector, take one with you, they make a wonderful Christmas gift.
- Never remove batteries
from a smoke detector to place them in children's toys.
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