Philadelphia Fire Officials Offer Safety Tips For Holiday Season
By Ian Bush
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A Christmas tree going up in flames: it's a scene right out of a National Lampoon movie. But Philadelphia fire officials say your holiday doesn't have to suffer the same fate.
Dancing in the heads of these junior firefighters are not sugarplums.
"Don't let trees block stairs or exits."
"Keep portable heaters away from trees."
But instead festive fire safety tips:
"Check all electric cords and connections for wear."
"Install smoke alarms in your home, one per level."
If you buy a Christmas tree in the city, chances are it'll come with these reminders. Thirty thousand evergreens for sale are being tagged, courtesy the Philadelphia Fire Department and a donation from the University of Pennsylvania.
"Across the U.S., there are about 210 Christmas tree fires a year."
The number could be zero, but Fire Commissioner Derrick Sawyer says too many people fail to take common sense precautions.
"You have to keep it watered. If you don't water your tree, we may have to," said Commissioner Sawyer.
Don't overload outlets, he warns, and pull the plug before you head to bed or leave your house.