Environmental Health
&
FIRE SAFETY
WINTER FIRE SAFETY TIPS
The Christmas Season is upon us and William & Mary Fire Safety Officer Anthony J. (Jay) Oubré wants to remind everyone about fire
safety during the holidays. With the trend going back to having an old-fashioned Christmas with a real tree, the fire hazards increase.
Real trees will dry out unless they are kept watered on a daily basis and a dry tree poses the biggest threat of catching on fire. The water
in the tree stand reservoir should be kept filled with water at all times. If the area is kept warm, the tree will 'drink' a lot of water. IT’s
important also not to place your tree need an open heating vent. Another serious fire threat is candles, especially when they are placed
on or, near a real tree. Candles are beautiful, but they shouldn't be left near the Christmas tree, nor burning unattended Defective
Christmas lights, either on the tree, on the outside of the building, in the halls or in your room also pose a fire safety threat. Many fires
have been started from defective indoor and outdoor lights, especially when they are used incorrectly. The newer Christmas lights do not
become as hot as the old lights of a few years ago. The best thing to do if you still have some of the old lights left over, is to throw them
out. Lights are very reasonably priced and it is better to replace old lights than the entire contents of your room. You should also check
the light strands very carefully and discard them if you see any frayed spots. Also when using indoor Christmas lights, plug them into a
heavy duty surge protector. This has the added advantage of giving you an on/off switch when your lights are not in use. Lastly, make
sure the lights you use to decorate outside are for outdoor use only. And, I recommend that you check your outdoor lights as carefully as
you check your indoor tree lights.
CHRISTMAS TREES
 Select the freshest-looking tree available. Make a fresh cut across the tree’s base and immediately place in water. Keep the
tree’s water container full at all times. Check the water level daily and add water if needed.
 Check all Christmas tree lights, other electric decorations and electrical appliances for wear (frayed cords, for example). Do not
use lights, decorations or appliances with worn electrical cords. Use only UL approved electrical decorations and extension
cords.
 Place the Christmas tree well away from heat registers, space heaters, fire places, televisions, computer monitors and
other heat sources.
 Place the Christmas tree clear of doors to keep the emergency escape route clear of trees, packages and furniture.
 Place Christmas tree in the trash as soon as possible after Christmas, especially if the needles start to dry out.
 If leaving for the holidays, it best to take down your tree and dispose of it before leaving.
Those that have a wood-burning fireplace must also use caution. A fireplace is constructed to burn wood, not discarded Christmas
wrappings and ribbons. Many fire departments have been called to flue fires caused from burning Christmas paper. Burning paper can
float through the air from the chimney and land on your roof or the neighbors' roofs. The main thing is to use caution and enjoy the
holidays. That is what it is all about, to enjoy the season and not have a fire destroy your enjoyment.
The high cost of heating fuels and utilities have caused many to search for alternative sources of heating. The use of fire places is
growing and space heaters are selling rapidly, or coming out of storage to heat most offices. Fireplaces are burning wood and man-made
logs. All these methods of heating may be acceptable. They are, however, a major contributing factor in residential fires. Many of these
fires can be prevented. Currently Fire Maintenance Supervisor Bob Johnson contracts Johnston Chimney Sweep for an annual inspection
and cleaned if necessary, especially if it has not been used for some time. The following fire safety tips can help you maintain a fire safe
home this winter.
FIREPLACES: Fireplaces are becoming a very common heat source in lodges, sorority’s houses and dormitories that have fire places.
Careful attention to safety can minimize this fire hazard.
To use them safely:
 Be sure the fireplace is installed properly. Fire places should have adequate clearance (36”) from combustible surfaces.
 Do not use flammable liquids to start or accelerate any fire.
 Keep a glass or metal screen in front of the fireplace opening, to prevent embers or sparks from jumping out, unwanted material
from going in, and prevent the possibility of burns to occupants.
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Use seasoned wood as ‘green” wood leads to faster build up of creosote. The fireplace should be burned at a higher temperature
twice a day for 15-30 minutes to reduce the amount of creosote build-up.
Don’t use excessive amounts of paper to build roaring fires in fireplaces. It is possible to ignite creosote in the chimney by
overbuilding the fire.
Never burn charcoal indoors. Burning charcoal can give off lethal amounts of carbon monoxide.
Keep flammable materials away from your fireplace mantel. A spark from the fireplace could easily ignite these materials.
Before you go to sleep, be sure your fireplace fire is out. NEVER close your damper with hot ashes in the fireplace. A
closed damper will help the fire to heat up again and will force toxic carbon monoxide into the house.
If synthetic logs are used, follow the directions on the package. NEVER break a synthetic log apart to quicken the fire or use
more than one log at a time. They often burn unevenly, releasing higher levels of carbon monoxide.
OTHER FIRE SAFETY TIPS
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Never discard hot ashes inside or near the home. Place them in a metal container outside and well away from the house.
Never use a range or an oven as a supplemental heating device. Not only is it a safety hazard, it can be a source of potentially
toxic fumes.
Frozen water pipes? Never try to thaw them with a blow torch or other open flame, otherwise the pipe could conduct the heat
and ignite the wall structure inside the wall space. Use hot water or a UL-labeled device such as a hand held dryer for thawing.
If windows are used as emergency exits in your home, practice using them in the event fire should strike. Be sure that all
windows open easily. Home escape ladders are recommended.
If there is a fire hydrant near your home you can assist the fire department by keeping the hydrant clear of snow so in the event
it is needed, it can be located.
Be extra careful with electricity, all open flames and other heat sources during the holidays.
FINALLY…
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Plan and practice your fire escape plan.
Contact your Fire Safety Officer for advice if you have a question on fire safety at 221-1745 or e-mail him at ajoubr@wm.edu
The Environment, Health, and Safety Department’s Fire Safety Officer Anthony J. (Jay) Oubré wants to wish everyone at the college a
Very Merry and Safe Christmas and a Happy New Year!
“Remember Fire Safety is everyone’s responsibility”