The Easton Fire Marshal’s Office and the State Fire Marshal are urging residents to take extra precautions this holiday season to reduce the risk of fires, offering guidance on decorations, cooking, fireplaces and electrical safety.
Officials recommend keeping Christmas trees and holiday decorations at least three feet away from heat sources such as fireplaces, space heaters and radiators. Real trees should be watered daily to prevent them from drying out and becoming a fire hazard.
Residents are also encouraged to use flameless candles when possible. If real candles are used, they should be kept away from flammable items and extinguished before going to bed.
Electrical safety is another key focus. Fire officials advise inspecting holiday light cords for damage, turning off decorative lights when leaving the house or going to sleep, and avoiding overloaded extension cords.
Other common seasonal risks include burning wrapping paper in fireplaces, which officials warn should never be done, and unattended cooking. Residents should stay in the kitchen while cooking and ensure smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working properly throughout the home.
Fire marshals also issued a specific warning about fireplace and woodstove ashes, noting that ashes can remain hot for several days after a fire is out. Ashes should never be disposed of in garages or on decks. Instead, they should be placed in a metal container and stored outside, away from homes and sheds.
To help spread the message, the State Fire Marshal has released short holiday fire safety videos, including one focused on Hanukkah and another featuring Santa Claus. The videos are available online here and here.
The Office of the Fire Marshal wished residents a happy and safe holiday season and encouraged everyone to follow basic safety practices to prevent fires during winter celebrations.
