Skip to main content

Christmas tree fires can be super fast and deadly


Home fires that start with Christmas trees create a very hot blaze that can spread through a room in seconds. They are more deadly than typical fires.

 A National Fire Prevention Association study shows that one in 18 Christmas tree fires from 2005 to 2009 resulted in a death, compared with one in every 141 home fires overall. The US Fire Administration explains why it happens. 

 Trees provide an unusually large amount of fuel and can create a fire that can spread rapidly, leaving little time to get out of the house. They are especially deadly if they occur at night when people are sleeping.

 While this type of fire is fairly unusual, it is far more serious than any other type of house fire. 

 The number of Christmas tree fires has dropped in recent years, mainly because of improved public education, and increased use of less-flammable artificial trees.

 Many families still prefer a natural and traditional Christmas tree, and choosing one provides an annual family outing. 

 If the trees are fresh, they have a pleasant evergreen aroma. Putting up a real tree can be a daunting task that includes sawing and whittling, but it is often part of a family tradition.

Rick Dungey of the National Christmas Tree Association says trees are not a fire hazard if you take care of them. If a tree is well watered, there's little chance that it will ignite.

 Though you may have heard them before, check these instructions again for having a safe, natural Christmas tree: 

 * Keep the tree well-watered. Check the water supply at least once a day. Trees can drink a lot of water.

 * Use new or high-quality lighting. That means no strings with frayed cords or lights that have worn connections. 

 * Turn off the lights before leaving home and before going to bed.

 * Get rid of the tree as soon as it feels dry.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

THE TRUTH ABOUT MENOPAUSE, WEIGHT GAIN AND "THE POOCH"

By Colleen McCleery, MD, OB/GYN—Exuberan® by Virtua Menopause is a mixed bag of little surprises. While most women look forward to saying goodbye to tampons and pads, far fewer are excited to now experience hot flashes and night sweats. And it’s probably fair to say that weight gain is the least popular and often least expected “side effect” of this hormonal shift. Considering many women struggle with their weight on a good day, it’s not surprising that this is the number one complaint from patients who are going through this transition. The biology of menopause During the late 40s to mid-50s, a hormone called FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) increases and no longer performs its job to regulate the ovaries. During this increase in FSH, other hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone decrease. A decrease in testosterone can lead to weight gain and decreased energy. And, not surprisingly, estrogen loss has far-reaching effects beyond hot flashes. It contribut

Banana Corn Fritters

Banana Corn Fritters 3/4 cup  Arrowhead Mills Organic Corn Meal 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/2 teaspoon  Swanson Organic Cinnamon 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon  Swanson Organic Cayenne Pepper 1 1/4 cups bananas, roughly mashed (about 3 medium bananas) 1 large egg 2 tablespoons skim milk 2 tablespoons  Swanson Organic Coconut Oil , divided Directions: Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. Whisk corn meal, flour, baking powder, cinnamon and cayenne in a medium bowl. Mix banana, egg and milk in a separate bowl. Add the cornmeal mixture to the banana mixture and stir until just blended. Heat one tablespoon coconut oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium. Using 2 tablespoons of batter for each, space 5 fritters evenly in the pan. Cook until golden brown, 30 seconds to 2 minutes per side. Transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Cook a second batch with the remaining oil and batter, adjusting heat to prevent b

Adopting a Vegetarian Diet

Adopting a vegetarian diet has become a popular choice for individuals looking to improve their health, particularly as heart disease and obesity rates continue to rise in many parts of the world. Vegetarians tend to have lower cholesterol levels and consume fewer trans fats than those who consume meat and dairy products. However, to maintain good health, vegetarians must ensure they obtain the right amount of nutrients from their vegan diets. By taking care to plan their diets carefully, vegetarians can enjoy a satisfying and tasty way of life. While there is no established vegan diet, it is widely agreed that with so many vegetarian diets to choose from, the choice is ultimately up to the individual. However, vegetarians must be cautious not to make their diets too restrictive as this can lead to difficulties in meeting the body's daily nutritional requirements. Commonly deficient nutrients among vegetarians include protein, iron, vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, and zinc. Soy pr