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Happy Halloween
It is not even Halloween yet and the brick and mortars already have the Christmas decorations up. Really???
With the coming Holiday Season also comes an extra risk that needs your attention. And were not talking about Ghouls, Vampires, Zombies and Witches.
Home Fires
In just two minutes, a fire can become life-threatening. In five minutes, a residence can be engulfed in flames.
Learn About Fires
Fire is FAST! In less than 30 seconds a small flame can turn into a major fire. It only takes minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house or for it to be engulfed in flames.
Fire is HOT! Heat is more threatening than flames. Room temperatures in a fire can be 100 degrees at floor level and rise to 600 degrees at eye level. Inhaling this super-hot air will scorch your lungs and melt clothes to your skin.
Fire is DARK! Fire starts bright, but quickly produces black smoke and complete darkness.
Fire is DEADLY! Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do. Fire produces poisonous gases that make you disoriented and drowsy. Asphyxiation is the leading cause of fire deaths, exceeding burns by a three-to-one ratio.
Christmas Trees
U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 210 home structure fires per year that began with Christmas trees in 2010-2014. These fires caused an annual average of six civilian deaths, 16 civilian injuries, and $16.2 million in direct property damage.
On average, one of every 34 reported home Christmas tree fires resulted in a death, compared to an average of one death per 142 total reported home fires. Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur, they are much more likely to be deadly than most other fires.
Four of every five Christmas tree fires occurred in December and January.
In one-quarter (26%) of the Christmas tree fires and 80% of the deaths, some type of heat source, such as a candle or equipment, was too close to the tree.
Decorations
Decorations are a part of many celebrations and holiday observances. They are often seasonal or temporary. Unfortunately, fire safety is sometimes overlooked when putting up decorations.
National estimates of reported home structure fires derived from the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) and NFPA’s annual fire department experience survey show that in 2009-2013, decorations, excluding Christmas trees, were the item first ignited in an estimated average of 860 reported home structure fires per year, resulting in an annual average of one civilian fire death, 41 civilian fire injuries, and $13.4 million in direct property damage.
Candles were the heat source in 38% of the fires. The decoration was too close to a heat source such as a candle or some type of equipment in almost half (45%) of these incidents. Decoration fires peak in December.
Winter holiday safety
NFPA provides a wealth of safety information to help ensure the holiday season is a safe one.
Festive celebrations, flickering lights and winter greens are hallmarks of the holiday season, but they also present fire risks that can quickly turn this festive time of year into a devastating one. NFPA’s Project Holiday campaign works to educate the public about potential fire risks during the holidays, offering tip sheets, videos, and other resources to help everyone safely enjoy the season.
Like most people I am looking forward to the coming Holidays Season.
Post Halloween days filled with children bouncing off the walls with sugar induced euphoria.
Tryptophan induced naps during the Thanksgiving Day football games.
The sound of ripping paper flying off of the presents under the Christmas tree.
And the happy memories they will all bring.
Till next time
“Be Safe”