The North County Fire Protection District has some important messages for you concerning Holiday Safety.

General Rules for Holiday Safety

Keep matches, lighters, and candles out of the reach of children.

Avoid smoking near flammable decorations.

Make an emergency plan to use if a fire breaks out anywhere in the home. See that each family member knows what to do. PRACTICE THE PLAN!

Avoid wearing loose flowing clothes—particularly long, open sleeves—near open flames - such as those of a fireplace, stove, or candlelit table.

Never burn candles near evergreens. Burning evergreens in the fireplace can also be hazardous. When dry, greens burn like tinder. Flames can flare out of control, and send sparks flying into a room, or up the chimney to ignite creosote deposits.
 

Keep the season merry with this list of safety tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.



Safer Trees and Decorations


 

When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant." Although this label does not mean the tree won’t catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.

  When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches and when bent between your fingers, needles do not break. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.

 When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces and radiators. Because heated rooms dry live trees out rapidly, be sure to keep the stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.

Cut a few inches off the trunk of your tree to expose the fresh wood. This allows for better water absorption and will help to keep your tree from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.

Use only noncombustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children.

Never use lighted candles on a tree or near other evergreens. Always use nonflammable holders and place candles out of children’s reach.

Take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable, keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to avoid the child swallowing or inhaling small pieces, and avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food, which may tempt a child to eat them.

Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with spun glass "angel hair." Follow container directions carefully to avoid lung irritation while decorating with artificial-snow sprays.

 

Bright Ideas for Lights

• Indoors or outside, always use lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory that indicates conformance with safety standards
• Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and throw out damaged sets.
• Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord. 
• Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.
• Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use.
• Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house walls, or other firm supports to protect the lights from wind damage. Use insulated staples to hold strings in place, not nails or tacks. Or run strings of lights through hooks (available at hardware stores).
• Plug all outdoor electric decorations into circuits with ground fault circuit interrupters to avoid potential shocks.
• Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.
   

Friendlier Fireplaces

• Use care with "fire salts," which produce colored flames when thrown on wood fires. They contain heavy metals that can cause intense gastrointestinal irritation and vomiting if eaten. Keep them away from children.
• Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace.  A flash fire may result, as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.
• Before lighting any fire, remove all greens, boughs, papers, and other decorations from the fireplace area. Check to see that the flue is open. 
  

Trees

• Many artificial trees are fire resistant. If you buy one, look for a statement specifying this protection.
• A fresh tree will stay green longer and be less of a fire hazard than a dry tree. To check for freshness,           remember:
•  A fresh tree is green.
•  Fresh needles are hard to pull from branches.
•  When bent between your fingers, fresh needles do not break.
•  The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin.
• When the trunk of a tree is bounced on the ground, a shower of falling needles shows that tree is too dry.
• Place tree away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources. Heated rooms dry trees out rapidly, creating fire hazards.
• Cut off about two inches of the trunk to expose fresh wood for better water absorption. Trim away branches as necessary to set tree trunk in the base of a sturdy, water-holding stand with wide spread feet. Keep the stand filled with water while the tree is indoors.
• Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways. Use thin guy-wires to secure a large tree to walls or ceiling. These wires are almost invisible.

   

      Snow

•  Artificial snow sprays can irritate lungs if inhaled. To avoid injury, read container labels; follow directions carefully.
   
  
  

     Lights

• Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety. Identify these by the label from an independent testing laboratory.
• Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Discard damaged sets or repair them before using.
• Plan for safety. Remember, there is no substitute for common sense. Look for and eliminate potential danger spots near candles, fireplaces, trees, and/or electrical connections • • •
   

     Pool Safety

• Don't assume that drowning or a drowning incident couldn't happen to you or your family.
• Always swim with a buddy - never go swimming alone.
• Never leave your children alone in or near the pool, even for a moment. Don't be distracted by doorbells, phone calls, chores or conversations. If you must leave the pool area, take the child with you, making sure the pool gate latches securely when it closes. During social gatherings at or near a pool, appoint a "designated water" to protect young children from pool accidents. Adults may take turns being the "watcher". When adults become preoccupied, children are at risk. 
• If a child is missing, check the pool first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability. Go to the edge of the pool and scan the entire pool, bottom and surface
   

  Coastal Safety: 

• Swim near a lifeguard.
• Supervise children closely, even when lifeguards are present.
• Don't rely on floatation devices, such as rafts, you may lose them in the water.
• If caught in a rip current, swim sideways until free, don't swim against the current's pull.
• If you are in trouble, call or wave for help.
• Follow regulations and lifeguard directions.
• Swim parallel to shore if you wish to swim long distances.
• Scuba dive only if trained and certified - and within the limits of your training.
• No glass containers at the beach - broken glass and bare feet don't mix.
• Stay clear of coastal bluffs, they can collapse and cause injury or death.
• Never turn your back to the ocean - you may be swept off coastal bluffs or tide pool areas and into the water by waves that can come without warning.
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• Rip Currents
• Rip currents are the most threatening natural hazard along our coast. They pull victims away from the beach. The United States Lifesaving Association has found that 80% of the rescue effected by ocean lifeguards involved saving those caught in rip currents.
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• A rip current is a seaward moving current that circulates water back to the sea after it is pushed ashore by waves. Each wave accumulates water on shore creating seaward pressure. This pressure is released in an area with the least amount of resistance which is usually the deepest point along the ocean floor. Rip currents also exist in areas where the strength of the waves are weakened by objects such as rock jetties, piers, natural reefs, and even large groups of bathers. Rip currents often look like muddy rivers flowing away from shore.
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• Rip currents are sometimes mistakenly called "rip tides" or "undertow". These are misnomers. Rip current are not directly associated with tides and they do not pull people under.
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• Try to avoid swimming where rip currents are present, but if you become caught in one, swim parallel to the shore until the pull stops and then swim back to shore. If you are unable to return to the beach, tread water and wave for lifeguard assistance.
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• Stay at least 100 feet away from piers and jetties. Rip currents often exist along the side of fixed objects in the water.
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• Be aware of ocean conditions. Lifeguards are trained to identify potential hazards. Ask a lifeguard about the conditions before entering the water.
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• 4th of July Fireworks
  
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• Fireworks are illegal throughout Monterey County. Attend a public display operated by professionals!
  
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• Celebrating
  
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•    Matches and Lighters: Use only lighters designed to be child resistant, and keep all matches and lighters out of children's reach - up high and preferable in a    locked cabinet. Teach older children how to light candles and fireplace fires safely and supervise them carefully.
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•    Party Safety: Use only flame-retardant or non-combustible materials for costumes and decorations. Use chafing dishes with caution. Provide smokers with        large, deep, non-tipping ashtrays, and keep an eye on anyone who is drinking and smoking. Empty ashtrays often - wet their contents before dumping them.          After the party, check cushions and furniture for smoldering cigarette butts.
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• Lights and Candles
  
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•    Electric Lights: Be sure all indoor and outdoor holiday lights bear the label of an independent testing laboratory.
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•    Throw away any set of lights that has cracked or frayed cords or loose or damaged sockets. Do not overload electrical outlets or run extension cords under            carpets, across doorways, or near heaters. Be sure extension cords aren't inched behind or under furniture, and unplug all decorative lights before leaving            your home or going to bed. Never use electric lights on a metal Christmas tree.
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•    Candles: Put candles in non-tip candle holders and light them only when they are securely in their holders. Never burn candles near a Christmas tree or                decorations or displays. Keep candles well away from curtains and other combustibles, and never put candles in windows or near exits. Don't leave candles         burning unattended or within the reach of small children. Extinguish candles before you leave a room or go to bed.
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• Heater Safety
  
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•   Space Heaters: Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away from stoves, fireplaces, space heaters, and portable heaters. Keep space heaters and          portable heaters at least three feet away from walls.
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•    Always use the proper fuel for liquid-fuel heaters. Be sure they are vented properly and refill them only in well-ventilated areas and when they are cool. Make          sure the type of space heater you use is legal in your area and bears the label of an independent testing laboratory.
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•    Central Heating: Have furnace installations and all chimneys inspected and cleaned once a year (before the heating season begins) or whenever you suspect    a problem.
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•    Fireplaces: Keep fireplace fires small and always use a fireplace screen to prevent sparks from flying into the room. Do not leave children alone in a room with    a fireplace fire. Never burn trash or paper in a fireplace; burning paper can float up your chimney and onto your roof or into your yard. Remove ashes in a metal      container and store them outside.
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• Halloween Tips
  
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•    Costumes and decorations should only be made of flame-retardant materials. Avoid loose, flammable clothing.
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•    Each mask, wig, and costume must be easily seen at night.
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•    Use battery-powered lights for jack-o-lanterns, not candles.
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•    Keep decorations away from sources of heat, such as exposed bulbs and open flames.
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• Thanksgiving Tips
  
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•   Start holiday cooking with a clean stove and oven.
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•   Keep kitchen clutter and loose clothing away from the stove's heat.
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•   Turn pot handles in - away from a child's reach.
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•   Use pot holders to prevent burns.
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•   Never throw water on a grease fire. Instead, cover the burning pan with a lid.
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•   Keep all appliances in good working order.
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•   Never overload electrical outlets. Unplug appliances when not in use.
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•   Never leave cooking food unattended.
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•   Keep Thanksgiving decorations away from sources of direct heat.