Every year in the U.S., fire departments respond to an estimated 210 home fires involving Christmas trees[1]. Even though Christmas tree fires are infrequent, when they occur, they can be dangerous and costly. These fires cause an annual average of 6 civilian deaths, 16 civilian injuries, and $16.2 million in property damage[1].
As families across Malden celebrate the holidays, The Malden Fire Department and The Malden Fire Fighters Local 902, encourage you to take a few moments as you decorate to make sure your holidays are safe as well as festive.
When it comes to fire prevention this season, Christmas trees, candles, and electric cords and outlets an all pose fire hazards.
Malden Fire Fighters Local 902 Stress Safety on Thanksgiving Day
Safe travel and home cooking lead to a Happy Thanksgiving for all
A cooking fire is three times more likely on Thanksgiving than on any other day of the year. Most of those Thanksgiving Day fires occur between noon and 4:00 p.m. – the peak cooking hours.
In half of reported home fires in which smoke alarms were present but did not operate, the batteries had been removed or the alarm was disconnected due to dead battery alerts or nuisance alarms. Working smoke alarms decrease the risk of dying in reported home fires by nearly half according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).
MANCHESTER, N.H. — Grief counselors have been called in to assist Manchester fire personnel mourning the loss of a 20-year member of the city's fire department.