With Christmas just around the corner, Manhattan Fire Department has tips to help the Manhattan community stay safe with Christmas trees and festive ornaments for the season.
Manhattan Fire Department Fire Marshall, Jake Powell, provides tips on decorations that will reduce fire hazards:
Powell discusses how Christmas lights are clearly marked depending on their indoor versus outdoor uses, and the importance of making sure they are in the right locations:
Manhattan Fire Department also recommends the unplugging of Christmas lights when citizens are not at home or when they go to sleep to help reduce the potential for a major fire incident while they are away or not at home.
Powell also notes the importance of keeping the family Christmas tree properly watered, as dry trees can quickly become severe fire hazards:
While damaged or malfunctioning Christmas lights and power outlets are often the cause of Christmas trees turning into major fire hazards, Powell says other household items can become fire hazards for dry trees as well:
Powell emphasized the importance of making regular maintenance checks on lights and power sources, and checking the brittleness of Christmas tree needles to determine if the tree is well hydrated and whether it poses a significant fire hazard.
