Fire safety demonstration offers expert tips to protect your family, property this holiday season

NEW JERSEY – With the holiday season now in full swing, fire safety experts are reminding families to take key precautions to prevent dangerous fires.

On Monday, a live fire safety demonstration at the Monmouth County Fire Academy showcased the dangers associated with holiday decorations, including Christmas trees and turkey fryers. The event aimed to raise awareness about common fire hazards during the festive season and emphasize the importance of fire prevention.

Co-sponsored by the New Jersey Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board (NJFSAB), Sprinkler Fitters Local 696, and other partners, the demonstrations offered a hands-on look at how quickly fires can spread and how fire safety measures can make all the difference. A dry Christmas tree, combined with holiday decorations and furniture, was used to illustrate the dangers of holiday fires. The demonstration included two rooms: one with a fire sprinkler system and one without, highlighting the life-saving capabilities of sprinklers in controlling fires. Additionally, experts demonstrated the extreme risks of deep frying a frozen turkey, showcasing how the practice can lead to fiery explosions and severe burns.

David Kurasz, Executive Director of the New Jersey Fire Sprinkler Advisory Board, emphasized the urgency of fire safety, saying, “The goal of these demonstrations is to show just how fast fires can spread and how effective fire sprinklers can be in controlling them. We want families to have a safe holiday season, and understanding fire risks is key to preventing tragedies.”

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that although Christmas tree fires are rare, they are particularly dangerous when they do occur. Between 2014 and 2018, an average of 160 home fires per year were attributed to Christmas trees, resulting in fatalities, injuries, and millions of dollars in property damage.

As part of the safety demonstrations, fire experts are offering the following tips to keep families and homes safe during the holiday season:

Holiday Fire Safety Tips:

Decorations Indoors & Outdoors:

• Inspect all lights, decorations, and cords before decorating, and dispose of those with frayed wires, pinched cords, or loose bulb connections.
• Avoid overloading electrical outlets and use properly rated extension cords for indoor and outdoor use.
• Consider using energy-efficient LED lights that generate less heat than traditional bulbs.
• Use flame-resistant decorations, especially outdoors, made of materials like metal, glass, or flame-retardant plastic.
• Keep decorations away from flammable materials, dry vegetation, and leaves outdoors. Always have a water source nearby in case of fire.

Christmas Trees:

• Choose a tree with fresh green needles that don’t fall off easily. If needles fall off when touched, the tree is dry and highly flammable.
• Keep your tree and decorations at least 3 feet away from heat sources like fireplaces, candles, or space heaters.
• Never decorate your tree with live candles.
• Always turn off Christmas tree lights when going to bed or leaving your home.
• Water your tree daily to keep it hydrated and dispose of it promptly once it becomes dry.

Candles:

• Keep candles at least 12 inches away from flammable objects like curtains, and ensure they are placed in stable holders.
• Never leave lit candles, matches, or lighters unattended, and keep them out of reach of children and pets.
• Consider using battery-operated flameless candles instead of traditional ones.

Cooking:

• Never leave food unattended on the stove or in the oven.
• Ensure that children stay away from hot food and liquids.
• Keep flammable items, like recipes and dish towels, away from hot surfaces.
• Always fry turkeys outdoors, keeping them a safe distance from buildings or other flammable materials, and never leave them unattended.
• Completely thaw frozen turkeys in the refrigerator, as water and oil do not mix. Water causes oil to spill over, potentially sparking a fire when placed in hot oil.

“Take a few simple steps to prevent fires, and you can keep your holiday season joyful and safe,” said Richard Mikutsky, Director and State Fire Marshal of the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety. By taking these precautions, families can enjoy the holiday season while minimizing the risk of fire hazards.