Term untee ee. e Wednesday, December 14, 1988 How fo keep fi No one wants the red glow of a house fire as part of the Christmas festivities. By VALORIE LENNOX Review Staff Writer But the signs of the scason —dccorated trees, electric lights, Paper wrappings, fireplaces and alcohol — are the ingredients of tragedy if care is not taken. Sidney fire inspector Larry Buchanan has a number of pam- phlets outlining steps for a safe and happy holiday scason. He also has a few storics to remind people that Christmas is no time to. be careless. In one case a homcowner decided to dispose of his old Chrisunas uee in the fireplace by placing the tip of the uve in the blaze. and pushing the rest in gradually as the tree was con- sumed. Upon contact with the fire, the dry tree burst into flames. The man then tricd to get the uce outdoors, running with the blazing tree through the house and sctting much of the home afire. Extensive damage was done ~ before firemen were able to extin- guish the blaze. In onc tragic case, batteries were taken from. smoke detectors: to operate toys reccived as gifts Christmas day. That night there. was a fire in the home. and three family members dicd. | | Common- sense rules to guide you through Christmas | ‘**Good old common sense is the answer,” says Buchanan. Fires are usually causcd by a combination of factors. Overloading electrical circuits, a dry Christmas tree placed too close to a heat source like a fireplace or electric heater, a smol- dering cigarette overlooked during a house party or a little extra Christmas cheer leading to care- _lessness and alcohol-deepencd sleep. “One thing doesn’ t normally do it.” While people are far more safety conscious now than they have been in the past, Christmas brings a number of unique opportunitics for fire to start. First, Buchanan warns, don’t ~ burn gift wrappings in the fire- place or wood stove. The bundle of paper burns very hot and “‘a real hot fire will ignite the creosote around the chimney.” The most common fire problem in this area around Christmas is from chimney fires, Buchanan said. ‘*Absolutely never burn a Christmas trce or paris of a tree in a fireplace or wood stove. They literally explode.” Even trees kept in water will be so dry by the end of the scason that they pose a hazard if ignited inside. Trees should be burned in an outside incinerator or disposed of through the after-Christmas mulching offered by service clubs in exchange for a small donation. A little common sense and care over Christmas will help keep homes and families safe. from fire. The following tips, from the Canadian Forestry Service,. Canadian Standards Association and Fire Prevention Canada - Association, set guidelines for safety, CHRISTMAS TREES Experiments conducted by the Canadian Forestry Service show . * thata green tree, kept in water, could not be ignited by.a match or: - . bunsen burner. SO “Do not buy.a tree that has. dried out. Test twigs and ficedlics “for flexibility before buying. If the wee is dry, needles will shed ~ easily and t branches. will be brittle, A ay tree, even. if kept in. water, mS fe - will ontinue to dry. out, ue Store the tree outdoors; srotrably tinder shade. until it is to be a “used. If the tree must be stored indoors, recut the butt diagonally “and immerse in. waier Nae bis tree is ue: Maintain the. water supply. cole When erecting the tree indoors, recut the butt diagonally : and ~ immerse completely in wale. Maintain the water supply while the “tree. is in use. ~ se Cheek tree for flexibility 24 hours after erecting: If branches: : or needles are less flexible, the tree - -has dried. and must be: discarded. Once the tree begins to dry out, the process will continue and the tree will soon become a fire hazard. ¢ Do not surround the tree completely with gifts or flammable ~ material or put cotton batten under the tree, Even a green tree with a high moisture content will not - withstand a complete ring of mame’ at the base. A- fire-retardant chemical spray is nota substitute for keeping the tree ‘trunk in water and is not recommended. * Do not decorate the tree with candles. Po ‘nol decorate ‘metallic trees with electric lights, «© Keep the tree away from drapes and from beat sources like television sets. or radiators. Do not allow smoking fireplaces, around the tree, » Donotletthe tree block exits like door or windows, in case of: a fire. « Cheek artificial Irces, Some are flammable and some are fireproof, © Never leave small children unattended around a Christiias tee, « Remove the tree from the house as. soon as possible after “What's - ‘Cooming ee ° (P 0) ft { Bu t tere ps This ise quick: and Casy Square, loved by anyone who Tikes peanut buttes, They ‘re sweet i uelic iOUS. ‘ t iltay ; casa NTE i ENTE 2 cups icing sugar 1D cup melted margarine. 3/4 cup peanut butter —2/3- cup grahant eric ker. crumbs Mix’ together and press. in oxo greased dish, Leave. overnight and - add top, Melt.3 02, chow, chips, in in Asps. pe anut butter, 1/2 Isp. mary, Submitted. Wyss. nernice Lambourne sidney "JIM RENNIE 305-5777 -THE REVIEW 9781-2nd St., Sidney B.C. _ fire out of festive season Mini-lights can pose an unex- pected hazard. If one or two bulbs” on a string burn out, the remaining lights will burn much hotter, creat- ing a fire danger. Have extra bulbs and replace burnt-out lights imme- diately, Buchanan warns. Angel hair and artificial snow should never be used together to decorate a Christmas tree. The _combination is highly flamable. Never leave Christmas tree lights on unattended and be carcful with candles, especially if there are children in the home. “We've had fires caused by children and candles. Children like to take the candles to their rooms,” Buchanan said. In the excitement of the season, don’t forget to check the smoke alarm. Alarms should be checked and clcaned monthly, To clean, vacuum the outside air vents with the narrowest nozzle. or with a mini-vacuum., Every home should also be equipped with a fire extinguisher, Buchanan recommends, and should: have a fire escape plan. Smoke detectors and/or fire extinguishers could make life- saving gifts. . Information on smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and fire safety at Christmas is available from the fire inspector’s office. In Sidney call Buchanan at 656- 1184; in North Saanich call Ed Banas at 656-0781 and in Central Saanich call Art-Curry at 652- 4444, , CAREFULLY CHECKING the needles of a tree for flexibil-| . lity is Leah Pallot, 20, off Saltspring, examining a tree} ifrom Saltspring Tree Sales| at Sanscha Hall. ‘Christmas. CHRIS MAS LIGH’ rs . #: Turm-tree, lights off when leaving the house or when going to bed. . “Check lights for loose. sockets, damaged plugs, | worn insulation, broken wiring and discard unsafe. light scts. Use flood lights to iNuminate: metallic trees.-As the trees will ‘conduct electricity, strings of electric lights should not be uscd. cess Replace: burned out: lights promptly. with the correct : ‘Feplacement bulbs... Know: the. difference ‘between scrics. and | ‘multiple: burning. lights: so-the: right replacement. bulbs are Purchased. Unplug lights and allow. bulbs to cool before replacing. Use. only. outdoor. lights - for, display. Mount : ‘using. either a nsulated staples or hooks, not nails, tacks: or ‘brads. ‘Socket Taust be ‘hung. with the: bulb pointing ‘downwari. - wes --,-« Use only CSA certified light sets, light displays and tonecions oe Do not allow the metal of the reflector to contact the screw snelr se a we either: the lamp: or socket. 9. « Have a fire extinguisher available. ° es "Tf a fuse blows or a circuit breaker trips, unplug one or more ~ appliances. Do not overload circuits. TOYS AND GIFTS —"* ‘Do not use electrical: toys outside the home where the toys may come in contact with wet or damp grass, rain or snow. . * Use. only polarized extension cords with polarized plugs | (those with one blade wider than the other.) ‘». Buy only CSA approved electrical toys and. appliances. Electric tools are cither double insulated or have a. three-prong ~ grounding plug, Do not break off the ground pin. Use only witha -three-prong extension cord and outlet to prevent possible shock.. * Read operating instructions carcfully and follow mi nufuc- turér’s advice, Ensure the ampere rating of any appliance can be “handled by the extension cord, The nameplate of the electrical product should carry the ampere. rating and the cord rating is given — onthe label wrapped around the cord, «Examine toys carefully, Never-assume a toy is automatically safe -— children can swallow toy parts or be hurt by a sharp edge if a toy ies iks. » Ensure children do not nibble Christmas plants such as holly, Jerusalem cherry, mistletoe and poinsettia all can case | intestinal irritation and vomiting. Have-w merry ----and safe. -— Christmas. CHRISTMAS SALE. Offer oxplros Doc. 25/68. E10) ‘ACCESSORIES I with the purchase of any now ey EE or used bleycle at the regular G \ nine " Pe: ‘ prea. (652-5614. OR.” a 7446A.W. 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Pate se ren) re a ir re a, “Tis the season to celebrate in the. best of willy asc rumplic US: Dairy Queen Cake “Mmmrnne rn! hi ich ier. of smooth vanilla. and chocolate Dairy Quean soft serve: with - delicious dark fudqe and crisp chocolate cookie muneh in between, Its a Dairy Queen Frozen Cake. | Choose frorm our display, Or phone a day —ahvad for your special C ristmas order, Treat yout fetinily and tricia to the basta: {he seasons aL daily. Glued ny Progen Cake ort. Og, We treat you right! ae ' en WO EWE BP pe F s] bow ONY Boy yrs E ad pag tity: «Et Canned | nah beademniaianll Offer avadabto at partic Hating ators OFFER AVAILABLE AT: nee SIDNEY DAIRY QUEEN - -BEVAN AVE NUE,. ‘sIDNe. il.