Yule Light Up My Life

A timely message from our partners in safety at the NFPA!

 

Deck the Halls with Fire Safety

A great video from our partners in Safety at NFPA.

#FireSafeHomeforHolidays

Christmas Tree Fire Destroys a Living Room in Under a Minute

An impressive video giving you an idea of just how fast a Christmas Tree can burn and, likewise, destroy a room by fire.

After watching the video please go below and review Christmas Tree safety tips. By taking proactive steps you will be able to reduce your chances of a similar scene to the video playing out in your home.

Enjoy the holidays safely!

 

When selecting a tree for the Holiday, needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard. A safer option is to buy a fire-resistant artificial tree.

Use a wide-based stand to make sure the tree is secure and will not fall over. Keep your tree in a container full of water, and check it daily.

Keep the tree away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators and heating vents. Decorate your tree with children in mind. Do not put ornaments that are breakable, have small detachable parts, metal hooks or look like food or candy on the lower branches where small children can reach them. Make sure tree lights are hung out of reach of young children. Also, cut back the lower branches to avoid eye injuries to small children.

Decorate your tree using only UL (Underwriters' Lab Inc.) approved lights and cords. Inspect lights for exposed or frayed wires, loose connections or broken sockets. Do not overload extension cords. Use no more than three strings of lights on one extension cord, and never run an electrical cord under a carpet. Be sure to secure electrical cords so that children cannot pull them and topple the tree.

Turn off the tree lights when you go to bed, depart from home or leave the tree in an unattended room.

Never burn Christmas tree branches, treated wood or wrapping paper in your fireplace. Dispose of your tree promptly after the holidays.

Santa's Little Helpers

By: Battalion Chief Mark Davis

Firefighters from Fire Station 19 (Montgomery Hills) C-Shift helped deliver Santa Saturday to some very excited children at the Calvert Baptist Church. Many Fire Departments throughout the Country help out Santa through the holiday season by delivering him to many special places - MCFRS is no different. Some good work in the community 19 - C! 

Christmas Tree Fire Destroys a Living Room in Under a Minute

An impressive video giving you an idea of just how fast a Christmas Tree can burn and, likewise, destroy a room by fire.

After watching the video please go below and review Christmas Tree safety tips. By taking proactive steps you will be able to reduce your chances of a similar scene to the video playing out in your home.

Enjoy the holidays safely!

 

When selecting a tree for the Holiday, needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard. A safer option is to buy a fire-resistant artificial tree.

Use a wide-based stand to make sure the tree is secure and will not fall over. Keep your tree in a container full of water, and check it daily.

Keep the tree away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators and heating vents. Decorate your tree with children in mind. Do not put ornaments that are breakable, have small detachable parts, metal hooks or look like food or candy on the lower branches where small children can reach them. Make sure tree lights are hung out of reach of young children. Also, cut back the lower branches to avoid eye injuries to small children.

Decorate your tree using only UL (Underwriters' Lab Inc.) approved lights and cords. Inspect lights for exposed or frayed wires, loose connections or broken sockets. Do not overload extension cords. Use no more than three strings of lights on one extension cord, and never run an electrical cord under a carpet. Be sure to secure electrical cords so that children cannot pull them and topple the tree.

Turn off the tree lights when you go to bed, depart from home or leave the tree in an unattended room.

Never burn Christmas tree branches, treated wood or wrapping paper in your fireplace. Dispose of your tree promptly after the holidays.

Christmas Safety

Picking the perfect Christmas tree - At roughly 2:40 in our very own Assistant Chief Charles Bailey provides some important safety tips!

DC News FOX 5 DC WTTG

Annual Toys for Tots Campaign

Once again the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) will be assisting the United States Marine Corps in collecting toys for their annual Toys for Tots campaign.  Now through Thursday, December 18 residents can drop off toys to the following fire and rescue stations designated as official collection points for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign:

Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad - 5020 BATTERY LA., BETHESDA, MD 20814

Fire Station 4 - 17921 BROOKE ROAD SANDY SPRING, MD 20860

Fire Station 7 - 8001 CONNECTICUT AVE., CHEVY CHASE, MD 20815

Fire Station 12 - 10617 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE., SILVER SPRING, MD 20903

Fire Station 15 - 13900 OLD COLUMBIA PIKE BURTONSVILLE, MD 20866

Fire Station 22 - 18910 GERMANTOWN ROAD, GERMANTOWN, MD 20874

Fire Station 25 - 14401 CONNECTICUT AVE., LAYHILL, MD 20906

Fire Station 28 - 7272 MUNCASTER MILL RD., DERWOOD, MD 20855

Fire Station 32 - 9615 DARNESTOWN ROAD ROCKVILLE, MD 20850

Fire Station 34 - 20633 BOLAND FARM ROAD, GERMANTOWN, MD 20876

Annual Toys for Tots Campaign

Once again the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) will be assisting the United States Marine Corps in collecting toys for their annual Toys for Tots campaign.  Now through Tuesday, December 17 residents can drop off toys to the following fire and rescue stations designated as official collection points for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots campaign:

Fire Station 7 - 8001 CONNECTICUT AVE., CHEVY CHASE, MD 20815

Fire Station 12 - 10617 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE., SILVER SPRING, MD 20903

Fire Station 22 - 18910 GERMANTOWN ROAD, GERMANTOWN, MD 20874

Fire Station 23 - 121 ROLLINS AVE., ROCKVILLE, MD 20852

Fire Station 25 - 14401 CONNECTICUT AVE., LAYHILL, MD 20906

Fire Station 31 - 12100 DARNESTOWN RD., NORTH POTOMAC, MD 20878

Fire Station 34 - 20633 BOLAND FARM ROAD, GERMANTOWN, MD 20876

Fire Station 40 - 16911 GEORGIA AVE., OLNEY, MD 20832

Fire Safe Home For The Holidays!

The Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service wants to help make your holidays joyful and safe. By taking the simple safety precautions listed below, you can help ensure that you and your loved ones will have a Fire Safe Home For The Holidays!

Lights and Candles

• Decorate your tree using only UL (Underwriters' Lab Inc.) approved lights and cords. Inspect lights for exposed or frayed wires, loose connections or broken sockets. Do not overload extension cords. Use no more than three strings of lights on one extension cord, and never run an electrical cord under a carpet. Be sure to secure electrical cords so that children cannot pull them and topple the tree.
• Turn off the tree lights when you go to bed, depart from home or leave the tree in an unattended room.
• Keep burning candles out of the reach of children and pets; keep matches and lighters out of sight and locked away. Make sure they are in stable holders. Do not leave candles unattended - especially around children or pets.
• Do not place candles near draperies or anything that might easily catch fire. Make sure you put out candles when you go to bed or leave the home.
• Never Put Lit Candles on a Tree! Do not go near a holiday tree with an open flame - candles, lighters or matches.

Cooking

• Never leave cooking food unattended - it is the number one cause of house fires.
• Make sure you wear close-fitting clothing when cooking.
• Put pans on back burners and turn all pot handles toward the back of the stove.
• Never leave a child unattended in the kitchen. Close supervision is essential, whether children are helping an adult cook or simply watching.

Trees

• When selecting a tree for the Holiday, needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard. A safer option is to buy a fire-resistant artificial tree.
• Use a wide-based stand to make sure the tree is secure and will not fall over. Keep your tree in a container full of water, and check it daily.
• Keep the tree away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators and heating vents. Decorate your tree with children in mind. Do not put ornaments that are breakable, have small detachable parts, metal hooks or look like food or candy on the lower branches where small children can reach them. Make sure tree lights are hung out of reach of young children. Also, cut back the lower branches to avoid eye injuries to small children.
• Never burn Christmas tree branches, treated wood or wrapping paper in your fireplace. Dispose of your tree promptly after the holidays.

Other Related Tips

• Have your furnace and chimney professionally inspected and cleaned.
• Space heaters need space. Keep materials that burn easily at least three feet away from each heater.
• Working smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas. Test alarms once a month and replace the batteries at least twice a year.
• Plan and practice at least two fire escape routes from each room of your home and identify an outside meeting place.

Toys for the Holidays …Help Us Help Others

Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service and local fire and rescue departments will again be collecting toys for needy families and underprivileged children during the 2012 holiday season starting on December 5, 2012. For many years various Montgomery County volunteer fire and rescue stations have worked with local community groups, civic organizations and government agencies to make the holiday season a little better for area families.

All Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Stations will serve as drop off sites for new unwrapped toys, including those toys to be used for existing annual local volunteer fire department initiatives supporting neighborhood and local community holiday programs, as well as, the regional 2012 Toys for Tots Campaign in conjunction with the United States Marines.

Fire Departments throughout the metro region, including those in Montgomery County will be collecting toys for children during the 2012 holiday season. Toys may be dropped off until December 18, 2012

Reminder to Properly Store and Dispose of Seasonal Decorations

I thought I would pass along some great advice from our friends at the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) re post holiday storage and disposal of seasonal decorations.  Also included, a video of what could happen if you keep your dry Christmas tree up too long from National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

-Bill

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there are more home structure fires in the cooler months than any other time of year. As pine needles begin to drop on living room carpets, NFPA is offering suggestions for safe storage and removal of holiday decorations.

“It’s not uncommon to see residents keeping lights and Christmas trees up past December,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of communications for NFPA. “The reality is, continued use of seasonal lighting and dried-out Christmas trees can pose significant fire hazards in and outside the home.”

Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur, they have a higher chance of being deadly. NFPA recommends getting rid of the tree when it’s dry. Dried trees should not be kept in the home, garage, or placed outside against the home. Check with your local community to find a recycling program.

In 2005-2009, holiday lights and other decorative lighting were involved in an annual average of 150 home fires, 8 civilian deaths, 14 related injuries, and $8.5 million in direct property damage. To reduce the risk of holiday light fires and keep equipment in good condition for next year, follow these storage suggestions:  

• To unplug electric decorations, use the gripping area provided on the plugs. Never pull the cord to unplug a device from electrical outlets. Doing so can harm the cord’s wire and insulation and even lead to an electrical shock or fire.
• As you’re putting away electrical light strings, take time to inspect each for damage. Throw out light sets if they have loose connections, broken sockets or cracked or bare wires.
• Do not place a damaged set of lights back into the storage box for next year’s use.
• Wrap each set of lights and put them in individual plastic bags, or wrap the lights around a piece of cardboard.
• Store electrical decorations in a dry place where they cannot be damaged by water or dampness. Also, keep them away from children and pets.

Heating equipment is one of the leading causes of home fires during the winter months. In fact, half of all home heating fires occur in December, January, and February, according to NFPA's Home Fires Involving Heating Equipment (PDF, 723 KB) report.

NFPA and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) are working together to remind everyone that home fires are more prevalent in winter than in any other season. Learn more information about the organizations’ joint safety campaign, “Put a Freeze on Winter Fires.”

Holiday Candle Safety

The Holidays are here and candles are in demand. See, hear and/or read a quick presentation on Candle Safety below.

 

Fire Safe Home For The Holidays!

The Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service wants to help make your holidays joyful and safe. By taking the simple safety precautions listed below, you can help ensure that you and your loved ones will have a Fire Safe Home For The Holidays!

Lights and Candles

• Decorate your tree using only UL (Underwriters' Lab Inc.) approved lights and cords. Inspect lights for exposed or frayed wires, loose connections or broken sockets. Do not overload extension cords. Use no more than three strings of lights on one extension cord, and never run an electrical cord under a carpet. Be sure to secure electrical cords so that children cannot pull them and topple the tree.
• Turn off the tree lights when you go to bed, depart from home or leave the tree in an unattended room.
• Keep burning candles out of the reach of children and pets; keep matches and lighters out of sight and locked away. Make sure they are in stable holders. Do not leave candles unattended - especially around children or pets.
• Do not place candles near draperies or anything that might easily catch fire. Make sure you put out candles when you go to bed or leave the home.
• Never Put Lit Candles on a Tree! Do not go near a holiday tree with an open flame - candles, lighters or matches.

Cooking

• Never leave cooking food unattended - it is the number one cause of house fires.
• Make sure you wear close-fitting clothing when cooking.
• Put pans on back burners and turn all pot handles toward the back of the stove.
• Never leave a child unattended in the kitchen. Close supervision is essential, whether children are helping an adult cook or simply watching.

Trees

• When selecting a tree for the Holiday, needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard. A safer option is to buy a fire-resistant artificial tree.
• Use a wide-based stand to make sure the tree is secure and will not fall over. Keep your tree in a container full of water, and check it daily.
• Keep the tree away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators and heating vents. Decorate your tree with children in mind. Do not put ornaments that are breakable, have small detachable parts, metal hooks or look like food or candy on the lower branches where small children can reach them. Make sure tree lights are hung out of reach of young children. Also, cut back the lower branches to avoid eye injuries to small children.
• Never burn Christmas tree branches, treated wood or wrapping paper in your fireplace. Dispose of your tree promptly after the holidays.

Other Related Tips

• Have your furnace and chimney professionally inspected and cleaned.
• Space heaters need space. Keep materials that burn easily at least three feet away from each heater.
• Working smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas. Test alarms once a month and replace the batteries at least twice a year.
• Plan and practice at least two fire escape routes from each room of your home and identify an outside meeting place.

Fire Safe Home For The Holidays!

The Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service wants to help make your holidays joyful and safe. By taking the simple safety precautions listed below, you can help ensure that you and your loved ones will have a Fire Safe Home For The Holidays!

Lights and Candles 

Decorate your tree using only UL (Underwriters' Lab Inc.) approved lights and cords. Inspect lights for exposed or frayed wires, loose connections or broken sockets. Do not overload extension cords. Use no more than three strings of lights on one extension cord, and never run an electrical cord under a carpet. Be sure to secure electrical cords so that children cannot pull them and topple the tree.

• Turn off the tree lights when you go to bed, depart from home or leave the tree in an unattended room.
• Keep burning candles out of the reach of children and pets; keep matches and lighters out of sight and locked away. Make sure they are in stable holders. Do not leave candles unattended - especially around children or pets.
• Do not place candles near draperies or anything that might easily catch fire. Make sure you put out candles when you go to bed or leave the home.
• Never Put Lit Candles on a Tree! Do not go near a holiday tree with an open flame - candles, lighters or matches.

Cooking

• Never leave cooking food unattended - it is the number one cause of house fires.
• Make sure you wear close-fitting clothing when cooking.
• Put pans on back burners and turn all pot handles toward the back of the stove.
• Never leave a child unattended in the kitchen. Close supervision is essential, whether children are helping an adult cook or simply watching.

Trees

When selecting a tree for the Holiday, needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard. A safer option is to buy a fire-resistant artificial tree.

• Use a wide-based stand to make sure the tree is secure and will not fall over. Keep your tree in a container full of water, and check it daily.
• Keep the tree away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators and heating vents. Decorate your tree with children in mind. Do not put ornaments that are breakable, have small detachable parts, metal hooks or look like food or candy on the lower branches where small children can reach them. Make sure tree lights are hung out of reach of young children. Also, cut back the lower branches to avoid eye injuries to small children.
• Never burn Christmas tree branches, treated wood or wrapping paper in your fireplace. Dispose of your tree promptly after the holidays.

Other Related Tips

• Have your furnace and chimney professionally inspected and cleaned.
• Space heaters need space. Keep materials that burn easily at least three feet away from each heater.
• Working smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas. Test alarms once a month and replace the batteries at least twice a year.
• Plan and practice at least two fire escape routes from each room of your home and identify an outside meeting place.

Fire Safety Tips for the Holiday Season

Our friends at the US Fire Administration have some great fire safety tips for the holiday season.  No matter which holiday you celebrate during December, many of the below tips can be useful and help you to celebrate safely!

Please take a moment to review the below tips.

Stay Safe,
Bill

Decorating homes and businesses is a long-standing tradition around the holiday season. Unfortunately, these same decorations may increase your chances of fire. Based on data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), an estimated 250 home fires involving Christmas trees and another 170 home fires involving holiday lights and other decorative lighting occur each year. Together, these fires resulted in 21 deaths and 43 injuries.

Following a few simple fire safety tips can keep electric lights, candles, and the ever popular Christmas tree from creating a tragedy. Learn how to prevent a fire and what to do in case a fire starts in your home. Make sure all exits are accessible and not blocked by decorations or trees. Help ensure that you have a fire safe holiday season.

Christmas Tree Retailers

Order the free USFA Christmas Tree Fire Safety Hang Tag to remind your customers how to care for a live tree in their homes.Order »

Click images below to enlarge.

Christmas Trees

What’s a traditional Christmas morning scene without a beautifully decorated tree? If your household includes a natural tree in its festivities, take to heart the sales person’s suggestion – “Keep the tree watered.”

Christmas trees account for hundreds of fires annually. Typically, shorts in electrical lights or open flames from candles, lighters or matches start tree fires. Well-watered trees are not a problem. A dry and neglected tree can be.

Selecting a Tree for the Holidays

Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needles should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long and, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard.

Caring for Your Tree

Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks. Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree. Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.

Disposing of Your Tree

Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood-burning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away by a community pick-up service.

Holiday Lights

Maintain Your Holiday Lights

Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up. Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.

Do Not Overload Electrical Outlets

Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires – they should not be warm to the touch.

Do not leave holiday lights on unattended!

Holiday Decorations

Use Only Nonflammable Decorations

All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from heat vents. If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.

Don't Block Exits

Ensure that trees and other holiday decorations do not block an exit way. In the event of a fire, time is of the essence. A blocked entry/exit way puts you and your family at risk.

Never Put Wrapping Paper in the Fireplace

Wrapping paper in the fireplace can result in a very large fire, throwing off dangerous sparks and embers that may result in a chimney fire.

Candle Care

Avoid Using Lit Candles

If you do use lit candles, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down. Never leave the house with candles burning.

Never Put Lit Candles on a Tree

Do not go near a Christmas tree with an open flame – candles, lighters or matches.

 

Fire Safe Home For The Holidays!

The Montgomery County Fire & Rescue Service wants to help make your holidays joyful and safe. By taking the simple safety precautions listed below, you can help ensure that you and your loved ones will have a Fire Safe Home For The Holidays!

Lights and Candles

Decorate your tree using only UL (Underwriters' Lab Inc.) approved lights and cords. Inspect lights for exposed or frayed wires, loose connections or broken sockets. Do not overload extension cords. Use no more than three strings of lights on one extension cord, and never run an electrical cord under a carpet. Be sure to secure electrical cords so that children cannot pull them and topple the tree.

Turn off the tree lights when you go to bed, depart from home or leave the tree in an unattended room.

Keep burning candles out of the reach of children and pets; keep matches and lighters out of sight and locked away. Make sure they are in stable holders. Do not leave candles unattended - especially around children or pets.

Do not place candles near draperies or anything that might easily catch fire. Make sure you put out candles when you go to bed or leave the home.

Never Put Lit Candles on a Tree! Do not go near a holiday tree with an open flame - candles, lighters or matches.

Cooking

Never leave cooking food unattended - it is the number one cause of house fires.

Make sure you wear close-fitting clothing when cooking.

Put pans on back burners and turn all pot handles toward the back of the stove.

Never leave a child unattended in the kitchen. Close supervision is essential, whether children are helping an adult cook or simply watching.

Trees

When selecting a tree for the Holiday, needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard. A safer option is to buy a fire-resistant artificial tree.

Use a wide-based stand to make sure the tree is secure and will not fall over. Keep your tree in a container full of water, and check it daily.

Keep the tree away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators and heating vents. Decorate your tree with children in mind. Do not put ornaments that are breakable, have small detachable parts, metal hooks or look like food or candy on the lower branches where small children can reach them. Make sure tree lights are hung out of reach of young children. Also, cut back the lower branches to avoid eye injuries to small children.

Never burn Christmas tree branches, treated wood or wrapping paper in your fireplace. Dispose of your tree promptly after the holidays.

Other Related Tips

Have your furnace and chimney professionally inspected and cleaned.

Space heaters need space. Keep materials that burn easily at least three feet away from each heater.

Working smoke alarms should be installed on every level of your home, especially near sleeping areas. Test alarms once a month and replace the batteries at least twice a year.

Plan and practice at least two fire escape routes from each room of your home and identify an outside meeting place.

Videos and Photos From Friday’s “Toys for Tots” Press Event

Below, please find a Flickr photo album as well as two videos from Friday’s “Toys for Tots” Press Event.

Click on Above Photo to Access MCFRS Flickr Slideshow