Pasadena Fire Department shares safe seasonal tips

PASADENA FIRE DEPARTMENT REMINDS COMMUNITY TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

The risk of fires increases during the holiday season. You don’t have to give up traditions in the interest of safety if you follow simple recommendations from the Pasadena Fire Department.

* Select a fresh Christmas tree that is kept in water at all times. Needles on fresh trees should be green and should not fall off easily. Don’t put your tree up too early or leave it up longer than two weeks after the holidays. Dry trees can ignite easily and create fires that can spread rapidly to nearby combustible materials.

* Place your tree in a safe place away from heat sources such as a fireplaces and heating vents.

* Maintain your holiday lights. Inspect your lights before you use them to ensure they don’t have frayed wires, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, or excessive wear. Only use lighting that is listed by an approved testing laboratory. Don’t leave the lights on when you’re not home.

* Avoid overloading electrical outlets. Don’t link more than three light strands unless the directions indicate it is safe. Periodically check the wires; they should not be warm to the touch.

* Use only non-flammable decorations that are placed away from heat vents. If you use an artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.

* If you use candles, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where children and pets cannot knock them down. Do not leave lit candles unattended. Never leave the house with candles burning.

* Keep fresh batteries in your smoke detectors and practice your family evacuation plans.

For more information visit www.cityofpasadena.net/disaster or contact Emergency Management Coordinator Lisa Derderian at lderderian@cityofpasadena.net or (626) 744-7276