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STAMFORD, Conn. — The Stamford Daily Voice accepts signed, original letters to the editor. Letters may be e-mailed to stamford@dailyvoice.com.
To the editor,
These tips are from the city of Stamford to help prevent any fire related accidents this holiday season:
- When decking the halls, choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant and keep them away from candles or any other heat sources. Not all holiday lights are made equal; check to determine if your holiday lights are approved for indoor or outdoor use. Replace lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections, and use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged. Do not overload electrical extension cords.
- If you have an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled or certified by the manufacturer as fire-retardant. If you choose a fresh tree, make sure the green needles don’t fall off when touched; before placing it in the stand, cut 2 inches from the base of the trunk. Add water to the tree stand, and be sure to water it daily. Make sure your tree is not blocking an exit, and is at least three feet away from any heat source. Never use lit candles to decorate the tree and always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving the home or going to bed.
- Consider using battery-operated, flameless candles, which look and smell like real candles. If using candles, they should be in sturdy holders and placed on an uncluttered surface at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn. Lit candles should not be placed in windows where a blind or curtain could catch fire. Never leave a child alone in a room with a burning candle and never leave a lit candle unattended. Blow out candles when you leave the room or go to bed.
- Have your chimney inspected and cleaned annually by a professional. Never leave a fireplace unattended. Make sure that your fireplace has a sturdy screen and keep kids and combustibles at least three feet away. Allow fireplace ashes to cool before disposing of them. Place ashes in a tightly covered metal container using metal fireplace tools and keep the ash container outside, at least 10 feet away from your home, other nearby buildings and from any combustible material. Douse and saturate the ashes with water. Never dispose of ash using paper or plastic bags, plastic containers, cardboard boxes or a trash can.
- When cooking, stay in the kitchen and keep an eye on the stove. Keep a lid nearby should a small grease fire erupt. Slide the lid over the pan to smother the flame and turn off the stove top. Leave the pan covered until it is completely cooled. For an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed. Never throw water on a grease fire. If you have a cooking fire, alert everyone and get out! When you leave, close the door behind you to help contain the fire and call 911 immediately.
- Be sure to have properly installed and maintained smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in the home. Properly installed and maintained smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are the only thing in the home that can alert individuals and families of fire and carbon monoxide 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
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