We count on the ball dropping in Times Square to usher in each New Year. That’s tradition. But we fire and life safety advocates must not drop the ball when it comes to who we need to reach to increase awareness about the benefits of installed home fire sprinklers. I hope you’ll join me in resolving to focus on outcome-driven outreach in 2023. Residents of virtually any community need to be reminded that every home is improved by a complete system of home fire safety. That includes prevention, early warning with working smoke alarms, having an escape plan and practicing it, and installed home fire sprinklers. We often talk about the first three things. But encouraging home fire sprinkler installation in new homes needs more attention. With sprinklers only required statewide in California, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., we can’t rely on widespread new-home sprinkler requirements to achieve this goal but there is more that can be done. In many markets, new single-family home construction is still strong, so reaching individuals who plan to build a new home before they lock in is important. Consumers need to understand the facts about home fires as well as the unrivaled benefits of installed home fire sprinklers. I talk to folks all the time who say their public outreach directly led to consumers deciding either to build a home with fire sprinklers or buy one that had sprinklers installed. That’s a classic example of an outcome-driven educational program and a good model for all of us. You know that today’s home fires can become deadly in as little as two minutes and that homes are where most fire fatalities occur. But don’t count on your local officials knowing that. Educating local decision-makers and others involved in new home construction can – and does –result in sprinklered homes, impacting a large number of people. So, make sure you’re reaching planners, building officials, builders, developers and water purveyors, too. They need your help to understand the impact of structure fires not just on residents, but on firefighter health and safety and the well-being of your entire community. Another strategy that pays dividends is local code advocacy. When jurisdictions are reviewing its residential code, lend your voice and expertise to the arguments in favor of not reducing safety by not taking out the home fire sprinkler requirement. Your role is valuable and unique, because many of those in positions of power may not understand why the code as developed includes home fire sprinklers. You can speak sincerely and with experience to the very real dangers of omitting sprinklers from local codes. What they don't know can hurt them. A code updated without fire sprinklers results in substandard housing, something your community’s decision makers don’t want on their shoulders. If fire sprinklers are not in the current code and no update is on the horizon, the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) and fire marshal should make themselves a regular and vocal presence in the new development pre-planning process. This is an excellent opportunity to share data and educational content. Ahead of approvals, make a presentation about how home fire sprinklers can be used to offer local home developer incentives if the entire development is protected with installed fire sprinklers. I guarantee many sitting around that table with you simply don’t realize that these incentives lower developer costs and can actually increase their revenue. What developer is going to argue with that? Clearly, safer homes are a win-win for your community. But only when people understand the dangers and recognize the benefits. So, let’s not drop the ball on our local outreach. As always, NFPA is here to help. Tap into our free educational resources and get helpful safety tip sheets to share. And for home fire sprinkler content, use HFSC’s free turnkey tools that make it easy for you to educate your target audiences. You can also create a space on your website about the value of building new homes with fire sprinklers. Upload videos and other content. Post cards to your social media accounts. Or simply link to HomeFireSprinkler.org – HFSC’s website is free of advertising and all content is free to you.  Whatever action you decide to take in the new year to increase awareness about the importance of home fire safety and the benefits of installed home fire sprinklers, let NFPA and HFSC help guide your way. Keep us updated throughout the year on your progress; don’t forget to share your thoughts, lessons learned, and your successes with us! By working together, we can help ensure safer communities in 2023 and for many years to come.

Saying goodbye to your Christmas tree may not be easy, but here’s a compelling reason to remove it as soon as possible: One-third (33 percent) of US home fires involving Christmas trees occur in January, on annual average. The longer a natural tree is kept up after Christmas, the more likely it is to dry out; a dried-out tree can become engulfed in flames in a matter of seconds. That’s why NFPA® strongly encourages everyone to remove Christmas trees from their homes promptly after the holiday season. The latest Christmas tree fires report from NFPA, which reflects annual averages between 2016 and 2020, shows that 160 home structure fires began with Christmas trees, resulting in two civilian deaths, 11 civilian injuries, and $12 million in direct property damage. According to the report, fires that begin with Christmas trees are a very small but notable part of the US fire problem, considering that they are generally in use for a short time each year. Some Christmas tree fires occur in chimneys or flues, suggesting that people may burn the tree to dispose of it. With these concerns in mind, the US Forest Service offers this caution: “Never burn your Christmas tree in a fireplace or wood stove! Pines, firs and other evergreens have a high content of flammable turpentine oils and burning the tree may contribute to creosote buildup and risk a chimney fire.” To safely dispose of a Christmas tree, NFPA recommends using the local community’s recycling program, if possible; trees should not be put in the garage or left outside. Also, following are tips for safely removing lighting and decorations and storing them properly to ensure that they’re still in good condition next season: Use the gripping area on the plug when unplugging electrical decorations. Never pull the cord to unplug any device from an electrical outlet, as this can harm the wire and insulation of the cord, increasing the risk of shock or electrical fire. As you pack up light strings, inspect each line for damage, throwing out any sets that have loose connections, broken sockets, or cracked or bare wires. Wrap each set of lights and put them in individual plastic bags or wrap them around a piece of cardboard. Store electrical decorations in a dry place away from children and pets where they will not be damaged by water or dampness. For more information on home fire safety all winter long, visit “Put a Freeze on Winter Fires,” a winter safety campaign NFPA promotes annually with the US Fire Administration.

The new year brings hopes of fresh starts and new habits.  Fire and life safety (FLS) educators can support their communities in making fire safety a habit by highlighting the unique fire risks and prevention tips during the winter months. The annual Put a Freeze on Winter Fires campaign, with assets co-developed by NFPA® and the US Fire Administration (USFA), offers FLS educators dedicated infographics, downloadable social media assets, and data to share with the community. Heating, winter storms, and the increased use of space heaters, candles, and portable generators all contribute to the fire and carbon monoxide risks in the winter months.  Half of all home heating fires occur December through February. Space heaters are the type of equipment most often involved in home heating equipment fires, accounting for one-third of the fires, as well as the majority of deaths and injuries in home fires caused by heating equipment.  And home fires caused by candles is highest in December and January.* Kick off the new year helping you community build fire safety habits with these assets along with the Dan Doofus Heating Safety video from NFPA and our 10 Tips to Get Ahead of the Winter Freeze with space to add your department/organization logo for co-branding. Follow me on Twitter @AndreaVastis, Sparky the Fire Dog® on Twitter and Facebook, and NFPA on Instagram to keep up with the latest in fire and life safety education. *Statistics provided by NFPA Applied Research Division.

Flickering candles on the menorah and crispy latkes are classic elements of Hanukkah celebrations. However, candles and cooking (particularly cooking that includes frying) present potential fire hazards that can quickly turn a fun-filled holiday into a tragic one. The good news is that the likelihood of cooking and candle fires can be minimized by following simple safety precautions and guidelines. When using a menorah that requires traditional candles, make sure it’s placed on a sturdy surface and in a location that it can’t be easily bumped into or knocked over. Also, keep the menorah at least 1 foot away from anything that can burn and monitor it carefully - all candles must be blown out when leaving the room or going to sleep. Our candle safety tip sheet offers these and other recommendations to help reduce the risk of home candle fires; our religious candle safety tip sheet addresses fire safety tips specifically related to religious holiday activities. If you use an electrically powered menorah, inspect the wiring carefully to ensure that it’s in good condition and remember to unplug it when leaving the home or going to sleep. When it comes to cooking during Hanukkah, keep in mind that grease pan frying dominates the home cooking fire problem. According to our latest US home cooking fires report, which reflects annual averages between 2014 and 2018, cooking oil, fat, grease, and related substances were first ignited in half (52 percent) of the home cooking fires that began with cooking materials. Almost three-fifths (58 percent) of the civilian deaths and three-quarters of the civilian injuries (76 percent) and direct property damage (77 percent) associated with cooking material or food ignition resulted from these cooking oil or grease fires. Follow these safety considerations when cooking with oil: Monitor what’s frying on the stovetop carefully – never leave frying food unattended. If you see wisps of smoke or the oil smells, immediately turn off the burner and/or carefully remove the pan from the burner. Smoke is a danger sign that the oil is too hot. Heat the oil slowly to the temperature you need for frying. Add food gently to the pan so the oil does not splatter. Always cook with a lid beside your pan. If you have a fire, slide the lid over the pan and turn off the burner. Do not remove the cover because the fire could start again. Let the pan cool for a long time. Never throw water on the fire. If the fire does not go out or you don’t feel comfortable sliding a lid over the pan, get everyone out of your home. Call the fire department from outside. Visit our cooking safety page for more cooking safety tips and information. Check out our winter holiday safety page for additional statistics, resources, and recommendations on safely celebrating all season long.

My favorite thing to do each season and holiday is to decorate. Whether it’s for the fall, Christmas, or Chinese New Year, I bring up my boxes of lights, decorations, and tableware from the basement and have at it.  (That’s a piece of my mantle pictured here.)  While fun and festive, decorations can increase the risk of home fire.  US fire departments respond to just under 800 home decoration fires (not including Christmas trees) each year. More than two of every five decoration fires happen because decorations are placed too close to a heat source.* The NFPA® Winter Holidays page has information and resources to support fire and life safety (FLS) education efforts during this time of year, including tip sheets, videos, and downloadable social media assets. Candle safety tips Consider battery operated flameless candles (which look like real candles). Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets. Do not place lighted candles where they can be knocked over by children, pets, or anyone else. Keep candles at least 12 inches (30 cm) from anything that can burn, such as furniture, curtains, and other decorations. Blow out all candles when you leave the room and/or go to bed. Safe lighting tips Check electrical cords often. Replace cracked, damaged, and loose electrical or extension cords. Do not try to repair them. Use lights that are listed by a qualified testing laboratory.Check the label. Follow manufacturer's instructions on how many strings of lights you can connect. Some lights are approved for indoor and/or outdoor use.Check the label to make sure you are using the proper lights for your needs. Watch and share the Deck the Halls with Fire Safety video.   *Statistics provided by NFPA Applied Research Division. Follow me on Twitter @AndreaVastis, Sparky the Fire Dog® on Twitter and Facebook, and NFPA on Instagram to keep up with the latest in fire and life safety education.

For all the joy and beauty Christmas trees bring, it’s important to remember that they are large combustible items that present potential fire hazards in the home. Fire departments responded to an annual average of 160 home structure fires caused by Christmas trees between 2016 and 2020, resulting in two civilian deaths, 11 civilian injuries, and $12 million in direct property damage. Statistically, Christmas tree fires don’t happen often, but when they do, they’re much more likely to be serious. The deadly fire that occurred at a row house in Philadelphia this past January, which involved a Christmas tree and caused 12 fatalities (nine of them children), tragically underscores this point. Fires involving fresh Christmas trees tend to be more common than artificial tree fires. That’s in part because fresh Christmas trees dry out over time, making them more flammable the longer they’re in the home; a dried-out Christmas tree will burn much more quickly than a well-watered one. Our Christmas tree safety tip sheet offers tips and recommendations for safely enjoying Christmas trees this season. Following are some key reminders: For a fresh tree, cut 2 inches (5 cm) from the base of the trunk before placing it in the stand. Add water daily to keep the tree well hydrated. Trees should be placed at least 3 feet (1 m) away from any heat source, such as fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents, or lights. Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit, such as a door or window. Ensure that decorative lights are in good working order and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Also, the latest statistics from NFPA on Christmas tree fires in US homes include these key findings, reflecting annual averages between 2016 and 2020: Christmas tree fires are more common between 3 p.m. and midnight, accounting for one-half of associated fires. Another 26 percent of fires occurred between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Approximately two of every five home Christmas tree fires started in the living room, family room, or den. Electrical failures or malfunctions were factors in more than one-third (34 percent) of Christmas tree fires. In one-fifth (20 percent) of Christmas tree fires, some type of heat source was placed too close to the tree. Visit our winter holidays page for additional information and resources on how to safely deck the halls this holiday season. These resources can be shared online, through social media, and/or as handouts.