City of Lake Forest Park News Release

Northshore Fire Department offers the following tips for keeping safe during the holiday season:

Select a fresh Christmas tree that is kept in water at all times. Needles on fresh trees should be green and should not fall off easily. Dried out Christmas trees can ignite easily and boost a fire by spreading it rapidly to nearby combustible materials.
Place your Christmas tree in a safe place, away from heat sources such as a fireplace or heat vent.

Maintain your holiday lights. Inspect your lights before you use them to ensure they don’t have frayed wires, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets or excessive wear. Only use lighting that is listed by an approved testing laboratory and don’t leave the lights on when retiring for the night or when you’re not home.
Avoid overloading electrical outlets. Don’t link more than three light strands unless the manufacturer’s directions indicate it is safe. Periodically check the wires. They should not be warm to the touch.
Use only nonflammable decorations that are placed away from heat vents and if you’re using an artificial tree, make sure that it’s flame retardant.
If you do use candles, ensure they are in a stable holder and place them where they cannot be easily knocked over. Do not leave lit candles unattended. Never put candles on a Christmas tree. Never leave the house with candles burning.

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