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View Winners → Monrovia Fire & Police Chiefs Warn of Dangers Around the Holidays
Monrovia Weekly Dec 25, 2019
Keep candles away from trees and any other flammable items. – Courtesy photo
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Logs burning in the fireplace and candlesflickering on the mantle are all romantic images, but there are dangersinherent in these activities. Monrovia Fire Chief Brad Dover wanted toremind everyone to be especially careful this holiday season to keep it merryand bright.
Among the things he warned about are ensuringthat all holiday decorations are flame resistant or flame retardant. Healso called for keeping lit candles away from other things that can burn. Another “be-careful” was of worn outor broken cords on Christmas lights and to check loose bulb connections and tocarefully read all the manufacturer’s instructions about the number of lightstrands to connect. Another suggestion that Dover passes along from theNational Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) is to use clips not nails to hang lightcords so the cords are not damaged.
Dover also suggested that smoke alarms bechecked, whether or not you’ll be entertaining for the holidays. He alsomentioned that it would not be a bad idea to advise your guests about homeescape plans. Another good idea was to keep children and pets away fromlit candles. If you have friends that smoke, ask them to do so outside andprovide them with large deep ashtrays is always a safe plan.
The NFPA also provided some staggeringstatistics. Between 2013 and 2017, U.S. fire departments responded to anaverage of 160 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year and thatthese fires caused an average of three deaths, 15 injuries and $10 million indirect property damage annually. In a quarter of these fires some type ofheat source such as a candle or equipment was too close to the tree. Just stopto think and be careful. Thetwo peak days for such fires are Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
The chief wants everyone to have joyous and safeholidays. He is joined in that sentiment by Police Chief Alan Sanvictores. He reminded everyone to lock lastminute purchases out of sight in a trunk rather than tempt a thief to ruin theseason. He also encouraged being a good neighbor and reporting anysuspicious activity as “porch pirates” are very busy helping themselves to yourholiday purchases.
Remember also that firing into the air to celebrateis a singularly bad idea. The bullets will come down with the samevelocity as they go up and usually not in a controlled manner. Just thinkbefore your act and be careful out there.
