Updated Monday June 30, 2008

Holiday Safety Tips
Topics
   Christmas Safety
    Christmas Tree Tips
    Candle Safety
    Firework Safety
    Halloween Safety

Every 16 seconds a fire department responds to a fire somewhere in the United States. The Raytown Fire Protection District wants you to enjoy your holidays and be fire safe throughout the entire year. 

Happy Holidays!!

The same thing happens every year, the holidays are rapidly approaching and your mind is on holiday parties, family reunion dinners, and putting up those decorations. The farthest item from your thoughts is fire safety. What you may not realize is that the winter months (December, January, and February) are the leading months for home fires and home fire deaths in the United States. According to the National Fire Protection Association, more than one-third of U.S. home fire deaths occur during the winter months.

The Raytown Fire Protection District  wants to remind you that the greater majority of these fires are preventable. Simply being aware of fire hazards is a first step, taking the actions necessary to avoid them is the most crucial step. Don't be one of the thousands of Americans who will die in fires this year; follow these easy steps to keep your home and your family safe from the threat of fire and its consequences.

Check your smoke detectors. Replace the batteries on a annual basis or when you hear a slight "chirping" signal coming from the detector. To help remember when you replaced the battery, pick a day and replace it on that day every year. When you move the clocks forward or backward, a child's' birthday, or even a holiday such as New Years'.

Have your home heating systems inspected by a professional on a annual basis and make any necessary repairs quickly. Clean the chimney, and fireplace before the heating season. Use a sturdy screen in front of the fireplace. Never use a flammable liquid in a fireplace. Of course if you hang your Christmas stocking on the mantle, do not have a fire. Never allow small children to play or light the fire in the fireplace. If you use space or portable heaters, keep anything that can burn (including people and pets) at least three feet away. Always turn the heater off and let it cool down before refueling the tank. Most home heating fires are caused by human error, following the manufacture directions for the proper operation of a portable heating device.

Cooking is the leading cause of home fires, about 101,000 every year. During the holidays, the cooking performed at your house will greatly increase as your family prepares for the traditional turkey dinners with friends and relatives. Turn the pot handles in, away from the front of the stove. Do not allow small children to play in the kitchen during the time you are cooking. Don't place a small pan on a large burner or large pans on small burners. Keep a potholder nearby to grasp those hot pan handles, do not use a towel. Don't cook wearing long sleeves that can dangle near the burners. Unplug the appliances when not in use and certainly before going to bed. Items like the coffee pot, and toaster can continue to heat after their contents are gone. Keep a lid handy for each pan and use it to smother any flames. Don't use water to extinguish a grease fire, it could just make a bad situation worse. Do not overload your electrical outlets with extension cords or additional cooking appliances.

CHRISTMAS SAFETY
Check your holiday decorations and replace any with worn or damaged wiring. Disconnect the lights at bedtime or when they will be unattended. Once again, do not overload your outlets using extension cords or a multi-plug adapter. Avoid the use of candles, certainly do not allow your children to play with the candle, matches or lighters. Melting wax can cause a serious burns. Never use a candle as a Christmas tree decoration. Place a small flashlight in your Jack-O-Lantern instead of a candle.     

Christmas trees are always a fire hazard in your house. Choose a freshly cut tree, and cut a few inches off the trunk before placing it in the stand. Check the water level daily. Once the tree dries out, get it outside. Of course, keep the tree away from any heat source or sparks. Keep in mind that many of the decorations may look lovely, but can be hazard also. Holly berries can make a child very sick if they eat them, same goes for the mistletoe. 

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CHRISTMAS TREE TIPS
Follow these tips to help ensure that you have a happy and Safe Holiday Season.

• When Picking a tree... Check the needles. Run your fingers through the needles on the branches or shake the tree. If the needles come off easily choose another tree. This is a sign that the tree is drying out. A dry tree will not tolerate the temperatures of the Christmas lights and other electrical devices you may put on your tree.
  

• If buying a pre-cut tree, make a new cut approximately one inch above the old cut to facilitate water movement through the cells.
  

• Leave the tree outside until you are ready to decorate it.
  

• Trees that are cut early are a greater danger than trees cut relatively close to Christmas.
   

• Make sure the tree has water... Your Christmas tree needs plenty of water. Make sure that you fill its container with water every day. This will not only prevent your tree from drying out, but will also make for a healthier looking tree.
  

• Selecting a location..... When selecting a location to setup your tree, attempt to locate it in a cool location. Avoid placing it in an area close to heating appliances or the fireplace. This will not only dry the tree out prematurely, but can also increase the chance of accidental ignition.
  

• Keep the tree out of high traffic areas, and away from stairways and doors.
  

• Secure the tree so that it cannot be knocked over by pets or a small child.
  

• Keep on eye on your decorations... The decorations you use can be poisonous to children and family pets. Be sure to keep all tinsel, garland, and greenery out of the reach of your small children or pets.
  

• Before using lights on the tree make sure that they are UL listed. Never use more than three strings of lights on one circuit. Check all light strings to ensure that the wires are acceptable. Look for signs of wearing, frayed wires or blackened wires. If any of these appear, or if your not sure if the wire is safe throw it out immediately. It is always best to purchase a new light string when ever you have any questions about the safe use of an older one.
  

• Make sure that all connections are tight and the bulbs and cords are in good condition, not loose or frayed as to cause a short.
  

• Be able to turn off the lights without having to crawl under the tree.
  

• Artificial trees should be made of flame resistant materials, and lights should never be used on trees with metal frames.
  

• Never leave the lights on when leaving the house or when going to bed.
  

• Keep candles away from Christmas trees. Never use candles as Christmas tree decorations.
  

• When shopping for Christmas tree ornaments, attempt to find ones which are flame resistant.
  

• After the holiday... Remove all decorations and remove the Christmas tree from your home as soon as you can. A dry tree can be very dangerous. It is also a good idea to inspect any lights or wires as you take them off as well.
  

• The Fire Department recommends that a tree be removed from the home in the event that it becomes dry and begins shedding needles. DON'T TAKE A CHANCE. Remove the tree as soon as possible after Christmas. Dispose of all papers and boxes at once, do not allow them to accumulate.
  

• NEVER burn a tree in a fireplace. Dry Christmas trees burn very hot and extremely quick. The fire may rapidly leave the fireplace and move into your room. Also, a Christmas tree is very oily and may damage your fireplace.

        Practice your home fire drill now. Remind your family to know two ways out of every room. Arrange a meeting place somewhere outside and have your family memorize the emergency fire reporting number. Usually that number is  9-1-1.  If your area does not have a 9-1-1 system, you can find the phone number in the front cover of the white pages and yellow pages. Post the number near each phone.

CANDLE SAFETY

Candles that are unattended, abandoned, or inadequately controlled, are the leading cause of home candle fires (37%), followed by leaving candles too close to combustibles (19%), according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Nine percent of home candle fires were started by children playing with candles.  Almost half (44%) of home candle fires start in the bedroom.  The following is a list of safety tips from the Heart of America Metro Fire Chiefs Council and the NFPA:

Safety Tips

• Extinguish all candles when leaving the room or going to sleep.

• Keep candles away from items that can catch on fire (e.g. clothing, books, paper, etc.)

• Never place lit candles in window where blinds or curtains can close over them.

• Always use candleholders that are sturdy and won’t tip over easily, make sure your candleholder is equipped with a reservoir to collect dripping wax.

• Keep candle wicks trimmed to one-quarter inch and always extinguish votive candles and containers before the last half-inch of wax starts to melt.

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During Power Outages

• Try to avoid carrying a lit candle.
   

• Never use a candle for a light when checking pilot lights or when fueling equipment such as a kerosene heater or lantern, the candle may ignite fumes.
  
  Contact your local Fire Department if you have further question regarding candle usage.

Candles and Children

• Keep candles up high out of reach of children.
   

• Never leave a child unattended in a room with a candle.
   

• Don’t allow children or teens to have candles in their bedrooms.
   

• Store candles, matches, and lighters up high and out of children’s sight and reach.
   

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FIREWORKS

Even though fireworks are illegal in our jurisdiction, the information is here for others that do allow for fireworks to be used. Please heed this information, it could mean the difference between a safe and tragic holiday.

Decades of tragic experience teach this lesson: Fireworks are dangerous.

Handled by professionals, fireworks add immensely to our enjoyment of many holidays, including the Fourth of July,  and  New Years. But to keep holidays from turning to tragedies, leave fireworks to professionals, who take extensive safety precautions when producing their spectacular displays. If you choose to celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks, check with your local police department to determine what fireworks can be legally discharged in your area. 

Injuries
Young people suffer the great majority of fireworks injuries, most frequently injuries to the eyes, head, or hands. Losing your sight or losing a finger is a tragic price to pay for a few minutes of fun with fireworks.

Even seemingly harmless sparklers cause many injuries. For children under 5, sparklers account for three quarters of a fireworks injuries. Fascinated by the bright sparks, little children may wrap their hands around a stick of fire that can be as hot as 1800 F.

People Have a Lot to Lose
Injuries are only part of the problem. In 1987, local fire departments were called to some 36,900 fires started by fireworks. Those fires caused property damage totaling $25 million

And, yes, people do die from fireworks injuries and from fires started by fireworks. Fortunately, the death toll is a lot lower than it was in 1902, when fireworks were legal in most states. That year, fireworks and fireworks-related fires killed more than 200 people.

For all these reasons, those who see the injuries and damage from fireworks - physicians and fire fighters - agree on this strong warning: leave fireworks to the professionals.

Does Legal Mean Safe?
Don't think that fireworks are safe just because they're legal in your state. The largest share of fireworks injuries is caused by Class C fireworks, the kind that are legal in many states.

The same fireworks that are legal in one state have been banned in many others because of the injuries, fires and deaths they cause.

Legal fireworks carry the name of the manufacturer, the words "Class C Common Fireworks," and a warning label. If these are missing, the fireworks you're looking at are probably illegal, and you should consider them extremely unsafe.

Though all fireworks are hazardous, illegal fireworks pose extra dangers. Illegal fireworks are typically very powerful and are made without the quality control standards of legal products. This makes them extremely unpredictable.

We urge everyone to leave fireworks to the professionals.

If you must have legal fireworks, look for these danger signals:

Fireworks that are leaking powder, appear to be quite old, or show any signs of improper handling. These may fire unpredictably. Avoid them.

Fireworks that appear to have been wet and then dried. Water degrades the sensitivity and explosive chemicals inside and may affect the fuses.

Play it really safe, and let professionals handle the fireworks. Professional fireworks make a better display, which you and your family can watch in safety.

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To help you celebrate safely this Fourth of July, we offer the following safety tips:

• Always read and follow label directions.
   

• Have an adult present. Do not use drugs or alcohol when lighting fireworks.
  

• Buy from reliable sellers. Please, read all labels and follow all instructions before lighting fireworks. Never discharge homemade or illegal fireworks
  

• Use outdoors only.
  

• Always have water handy (a garden hose and a bucket of water).
  

• Never experiment or make your own fireworks.
  

• Light only one firework at a time.  Always light the firework with a long lighting device, such as punk
   

• Prepare a safe environment outdoors for shooting off fireworks by selecting an area clear of other fireworks, combustible materials like dried wood or grass, buildings, and other people. Always light fireworks on a flat surface. Always allow a minimum of 40 feet for fountain fireworks and 100 yards for aerials.
   

• Get away from the firework as soon as it is lit and if it doesn’t go off, leave it alone. Never re-light a "dud" firework (wait 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water). Dispose of spent fireworks properly when you are done by soaking them in water before putting them in a trash can.
  

• Never give fireworks to small children.
  

• If necessary, store fireworks in a cool, dry place.
  

• Dispose of fireworks properly by soaking them in water and then disposing of them in your trash can.
  

• Never throw or point fireworks at other people, animals, building, or cars
  

• Never carry fireworks in your pocket , they may ignite due to sparks and cause injury. Never extend any part of the body over a lit firework.
  

• Never shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.
  

• The shooter should always wear eye protection and never have any part of the body over the firework. Fireworks users should wear tight clothing to avoid accidental contact with sparks.
  

• Stay away from illegal explosives.
  

• Never shoot any fireworks in windy or dry conditions.

If you get burned from fireworks, remember these do’s and don’ts of burn care, if the injury is severe, call 911 immediately for emergency medical care:

For more tips and information, contact your local fire department or visit www.fireworksafety.com

Tips on choosing safe fireworks

It is extremely important to know the difference between a legal consumer firework and a dangerous explosive device. Items such as M-80s, M-100s and blockbusters are not fireworks, they are federally banned explosives. They can cause serious injury or even death. Stay away from anything that isn't clearly labeled with the name of the item, the manufacturer's name and instructions for proper use.

Stay away from illegal explosives. Illegal explosive devices continue to cause serious injuries around the Fourth of July holiday. These devices are commonly known as M-80s, M-100s, blockbusters or quarter pounders. Federally banned since 1966, these items will not contain the manufacturer's name and are usually totally unlabeled. Don't purchase or use unlabeled fireworks. If you are aware of anyone selling such devices, contact your local police department.

Homemade fireworks are deadly. Never attempt to make your own devices and do not purchase or use any kits that are advertised for making fireworks. Mixing and loading chemical powders is very dangerous and can kill or seriously injure you. Leave the making of fireworks to the experts. Fireworks are not toys. Fireworks complying with strict regulations enacted by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission in 1976 function primarily by burning to produce motion and visible or audible effects. They are burning at approximately the same temperature as a household match and can cause burn injuries and ignite clothing if used improperly.

Fireworks were made of potassium nitrate (saltpeter), that supplies oxygen. Some other substances that are included are charcoal and sulfur that combine with the oxygen produce heat and light. The combination of these three substances is called gunpowder.

After the 1800’s gunpowder was replaced with potassium chlorate or perochlorate and is still a key part of firework mixture. Different compounds of metal are used to give them color.

The shooting of fireworks is also know as pyrotechnics. The term of pyrotechnics also means the skill involved in the making and employment of such materials.

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HALLOWEEN SAFETY

Trick or Treating:

• Use trick or treat bags that are easy for a child to carry.

• Always trick or treat in small groups with a responsible adult.

• Children under nine years old should generally be accompanied with an adult. Child over nine may be old enough to go with a group of responsible children the same age or older.

• Stay away from animals and never pet them even if you know them. The animal may not recognize a child in a costume.

• Make sure they only go to homes they know that have porch lights turned on.

• Instruct children only accept treats in the doorway. Stay outside, in front or on the porch rather than entering houses.

• Have children trick or treat in their own neighborhood on safe, well lighted streets.

• Never accept a ride from strangers.

• Never take short cuts across driveways, yards alleys or parks.

• Use sidewalks when possible or walk on the left side of the road facing traffic. Cross at crosswalks and corners. Look left, then right, then left again before crossing the street.

• Walk. Never run.

• Have at lease one person in the group carry a flashlight and a cell phone.

• Wear a watch that can be read in the dark in order to be home at the designated time.

Costumes:

• Costumes with masks that sit on top of the head, lower face masks that cover the nose or nose and mouth, and decorative hats are safer alternatives to full masks.

• Painting faces with non toxic make up is safer yet. If your child wears a full mask, be sure that the eyeholes and ear holes are large enough not to limit vision and hearing.

• Be sure it fits snugly and does not move, and does not obstruct or restrict vision, hearing or breathing.

• Costumes should :

Fit properly and not drag the ground or cause trips and falls.
Be light colored or bright.
Be flame resistant. There should be a tag on the costume that indicates it is flame resistive. If no tag is there or on the original packaging, chose another costume that is.
Include proper walking shoes even if they don’t match the costume.
Fit comfortably over temperature appropriate clothing.
Incorporate hats, wigs, beards and scarves that are flame resistant and tied securely toprevent them from obstructing vision or creating falls.
Be accented with reflective tape that glows in the beam of a headlight.
Involve only soft flexible props that have no sharp points.
Conceal appropriate identification of the child wearing the costume should the child be lost or injured and a responsible adult is not with them.

Home owners and Parents

• Inspect your yard. Remove hazards such as wet leaves on walking surfaces or pathways, low tree limbs, clotheslines, bicycles, toys left outside, lawn furniture or garden hoses.

• Inspect your step that may lead to your front door or porch for loose boards, nails, bricks, stones etc. Repair as necessary.

• Put pets inside the house or garage for the evening to keep them from being scared or injured and to keep them from inadvertently biting a child. Never give candy to pets.

• Leave indoor lights and porch lights on so children will know it is ok to visit your home.

• Use a flashlight in jack o lanterns instead of a candle to prevent a fire. Never leave lighted pumpkins unattended.

• Use only UL approved lighted decorations.

• Never overload electrical outlets with holiday lighting or special effects.

• Keep paper and dry fall decorations such as holiday leaves cornstalks, hay bales, and branched away from open flames and heat sources.

• Have your child draw a face on the pumpkin. Parents should do the carving on a stable flat surface with good lightning.

• Avoid giving choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies or small toys as treats to young children.

• Check all treats wrappers for signs of tampering prior to handing them out as well as parents check them when the child returns home. Instruct your child not to eat any treats until you have checked them.

• Report any harmful items to the proper authorities.

• Throw away anything but unwrapped treats.

• Review / show the stop-drop - and roll technique with your children prior to them leaving to go trick or treating.

• Go over all of these safety tips with them again.

Drivers

• Drive slowly and remain cautious regardless of street type. Added precaution should be used if the street is wet or damp.

• Despite being instructed otherwise, excited children, caught up in the trick or treat ritual, often cross the street in between parked vehicles. Watch for children in the street and on medians.

• Exit driveways carefully, especially in residential areas

• Have all passengers get out on the curb side of the car, not on the traffic side
  
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