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We would like to thank the members of the media for their presence
during the live burns today. As part of our campaign strategy, we
would like to offer you some holiday safety tips that you will
hopefully share with your audience.
According to the latest statistics from the
Federal Emergency Management Agency, house fires during the winter
holiday season kill about 500 and injure about 2,000 people
annually. These fires cause more than $500 million in damage.
There are some easy, common sense things
people can do to reduce their risk of a fire in the home.
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Install smoke alarms on every level of your
home and near sleeping areas.
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Test all smoke alarms monthly and replace
batteries as needed.
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Replace smoke detectors after 10 years or as
recommended by the manufacturer.
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Organize and practice a family fire drill.
Share your evacuation plan with holiday guests.
Christmas Trees:
Each year some 200-house fires occur where
Christmas trees are the initial source of ignition.
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Select a fresh Christmas tree and keep it in
water at all times.
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Needles on fresh trees should be green and
should not fall off easily.
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Place your Christmas tree in a safe place,
away from heat sources such as a fireplace, space heaters or heat
vents.
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Only use lighting that is listed by an
approved testing laboratory and don’t leave the lights on when
you’re not home. Avoid overloading electrical outlets.
Candle Safety:
Fires caused by candles increase fourfold
during the holidays.
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If you do use candles, ensure they are in a
stable holder and place them where they cannot be easily tipped
over.
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Do not leave lit candles unattended.
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Keep candles up high and out of reach of
children.
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Never put candles on a Christmas tree and
never go to sleep or leave the house with candles burning.
Heating Safety:
Heating equipment is the leading cause of
home fires during the winter months. All types of space heating
equipment are involved in home fires.
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Regular cleaning and maintenance is
essential to safely operate heating equipment.
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Never place space heaters too close to
combustibles and give them at least 3 feet of clear space.
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Never leave heating appliances unattended.
To request a fire safety program, please
call 214-670-4633
For a smoke detector, please call 3-1-1
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