OREM -- 'Tis the season to be cautious, says Orem Fire Department spokesman David Eckersley.
"It's about time for people to be real Scrooges, when it comes to fire hazards, that is," he said in a press release sent out Dec. 1."It's hard for them to think about fire prevention at this time of year, but home fire hazards are a very real danger that people must think about."
To reduce the chances of suffering a holiday fire, Eckersley suggests:
Never burn Christmas wrappings or evergreen tree limbs in the fireplace. Dispose of them with the regular garbage pickup.
Keep Christmas trees away from fireplaces, furnaces and other heat sources.
Use only approved lights that have been tested by an independent testing laboratory, and follow the directions properly. Discard lights with worn cords or damaged plugs.
If you use candles, use them where they can't be bumped or knocked over. Put them out when leaving the room or retiring for the night.
Turn Christmas lighting off when you're away from home.
Don't exceed manufacturer specifications for the maximum amount of light strings for one outlet.
Make sure extension cords are in good condition, and don't run them under rugs or staple them to anything.
Always keep plenty of water in the base of a live tree so it stays fresh, green and less subject to burning.
When shopping for a tree, grasp a branch in your hand and pull outward. If the needles remain on the tree, it is fairly fresh. If the needles come off, the tree is too dry and could be a fire hazard.
If you use a space heater, remember that they need space, about 3 feet between combustibles.
If you use fueled space heaters, remember to open a window for adequate ventilation.