HAVE A MERRY AND FIRE-SAFE CHRISTMAS

Each year thousands suffer injury burns and death due to holiday decorations and carelessness. Trees, lights, ornament; and fireplaces produce extra hazards in our homes at a time when the hectic season may distract us from fire safety. Enjoy the holiday season. The Brunswick Fire Department offers the following advice for a happy holiday.

If you buy a natural, cut tree, check for freshness. Shedding needles are a sign of a dry tree and a serious hazard. Fresh needles won't break when bent. Once the tree is home, keep it outside until you can decorate it. Cut off the base, one to two inches, and place it in a stable holder. Keep the holder filled with water and keep the tree away from heat.

Place your tree away from heaters and out of the exit ways. Check all lighting for safety. Look for frayed or broken areas where wires are exposed. Damaged sets should be thrown out. Do not chance repairing. Keep bulbs away from curtains and flammable materials and do not use candles anywhere on the tree.

No more than three sets of lights should be on an extension cord. Overloading cords can start a fire. Keep connections away from the water base and use Underwriters Laboratory (UL) listed cords of the correct size.

Use weatherproof OUTDOOR lights and cords for outdoors. These sets are not for prolonged exposure, so take them down as soon as the season is over.

Unplug all lights and blow out all candles before leaving the house or going to sleep. Do not use real candles in the windows; use electric ones listed by UL. Keep all ornaments, candles and cords away from children and pets.

Dry trees can burn like a torch and spread the fire. Remove them as soon as large amounts of needles fall.

Do not burn trees, decorations or wrapping paper in your fireplace. Wrappings and evergreens burn rapidly and throw sparks which can set the roof on fire.