Twas the night before Christmas, as so elegantly read by our colleagues from the Carroll County Department of Fire & EMS (link below). On behalf of the officers and members of the Hampstead Volunteer Fire Company, we would like to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah. As you enjoy time with your family and friends, please remember to practice fire safety. See below for some holiday safety information and tips from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Winter Holiday Fire Facts
• U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 835 home structure fires per year that began with decorations, excluding Christmas trees. These fires caused an annual average of 3 civilian fire deaths, 30 civilian fire injuries and $14 million in direct property damage.
• Electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in more than two in five (41%) home Christmas tree fires.
• Nearly one of every five (20%) Christmas tree fires were started by lamps or bulbs. Eleven percent were started by candles.
• Roughly two of every five (40%) home Christmas tree fires started in the living room.
• Candle fires peak in December and January with 11 percent of candle fires in each of these months.
• Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.

Holiday Decorating
• Be careful with holiday decorations. Choose decorations that are flame-resistant or flame-retardant.
• Keep lit candles away from decorations and other things that can burn.
• Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read the manufacturer’s instructions for the number of light strands to connect.
• Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.
• Keep decorations away from windows and doors.

Holiday Entertaining
• Test your smoke alarms and tell guests about your home fire escape plan.
• Keep children and pets away from lit candles.
• Keep matches and lighters up high in a locked cabinet.
• Stay in the kitchen when cooking on the stovetop.