North DSM News

City of Ankeny recently issued the following announcement.

The Ankeny Fire Department is asking all Ankeny residents to “Keep the Wreath Green” this holiday season. A wreath with green light bulbs is on display in front of Ankeny Fire Department Headquarters, located at 120 NW Ash Drive. Throughout the month of December, for every holiday-related fire in Ankeny, a green bulb will be removed from the wreath and replaced with a red bulb to recognize the incident and remind citizens to be safe. The Ankeny Fire Department is encouraging everyone to elevate their awareness of fire prevention measures and help keep the wreath as green and bright as possible this holiday season!

The holiday season is a time when fires frequently occur; however, many fires can be avoided by following safety guidelines. Help us to Keep the Wreath Green by following these precautionary tips.

Preventing Christmas Tree Fires

Live Christmas trees:

• Natural trees should be cut at a 45 degree angle at the base and placed in water.
• Trees should be securely fastened in the tree stand.
• Keep the tree in an area away from a radiator, fireplace, or other heat sources.
• Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways.
• Because heated rooms dry live trees out rapidly, be sure to keep the stand filled with water. Water your tree often.
• When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly.
• Never put tree branches in a fireplace or wood-burning stove.

Artificial trees:

• When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant." Although this label does not mean the tree will not catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.
• 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.
• Always follow the same safety tips listed above regarding decorations.

 Decorating your tree:

• Use only U-L labeled tree lights. Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory, which indicates conformance with safety standards.
• Do not overload outlets. Be careful how many items you plug into a receptacle. For added electric shock protection, plug outdoor electric lights and decorations into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI's).
• 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. Do not use damaged lights.
• Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord for non LED light sets. If using LED lights, follow manufacturer recommendations.
• Do not knot or tangle the wires.
• Do not leave lights on unattended. Always unplug lights before leaving the house or going to bed.
• Use only lights designated for outdoor use, outdoors. Do not use indoor-labeled lights outside.

Holiday Lights and Decorations

• Indoors or outside, use only lights that have been tested for safety by a recognized testing laboratory, which indicates conformance with safety standards.
• For added electric shock protection, plug outdoor electric lights and decorations into circuits protected by ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI's). Fasten outdoor lights securely to trees, house walls, or other firm supports to protect the lights from wind damage. Use only insulated staples (available at hardware stores) to hold strings in place, not nails or tacks.
• Never use real candles on a tree or near other evergreens or decorations. Open flames from candles often lead to fire. December is the peak month for candle fires, with nearly twice the average number of incidents.
• When decorating the house with candles, always use non-flammable holders, and place candles where they will not be knocked over by children or pets.
• Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to decorate a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children.
• Do not smoke near the tree or decorations.

Fireplaces

• Make sure that your chimney and fireplace are maintained and inspected on an annual basis. To avoid the build-up of creosote in the flue, don’t burn pine or other woods with high tar content.
• Do not burn wrapping papers in the fireplace. It can throw off dangerous sparks and produce a chemical buildup in the home that could cause an explosion. A flash fire may result as wrappings ignite suddenly and burn intensely.

General Fire Safety Tips

• Make sure you have working smoke alarms inside and outside every sleeping area

  and on every level of your home.

• Practice your fire escape plans with holiday guests  and visitors.
• Always close bedroom doors when sleeping.

Original source can be found here.