By Commissioner Rudy Sunderman
SUFFOLK COUNTY – As we enter the holiday season, I want to take a moment to extend my appreciation to our residents, first responders, and partner agencies across Suffolk County. This time of year brings celebration, togetherness, and tradition — but it also brings increased fire and safety risks in our homes and communities. Our goal at Suffolk County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services (FRES) is to ensure everyone enjoys a safe and healthy holiday season. Below are some important safety reminders to help protect you and your loved ones in the weeks ahead.
How Do I Safely Decorate?
- Consider using battery-operated flameless candles. If you decide to use real candles, ensure they are in a non-flammable sturdy stand and NEVER leave them unattended.
- Inspect holiday lights each year before putting them up; if they are damaged, dispose of them appropriately; most holiday fires are started by electrical means.
- Use only non-flammable decorations
- Keep your decorations away from heat sources.
How Do I Safely Decorate My Christmas Tree?
- Before placing the tree in its stand with water, you’ll want to cut 2 inches of the stem off from the bottom of the tree – to help draw water into the tree.
- Make sure your tree is placed away from heat sources in your home – NOT blocking or obscuring exits/entrance ways.
- NEVER run a power cord over carpeting, the Christmas skirt, or other flammable materials or surfaces to your tree.
- NEVER use lit candles to decorate your tree
- Use ONLY decorative lights that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory.
- Ensure bulbs, strings, and connections are not broken or damaged in any way. If damaged, DISPOSE of those lights immediately.
- NEVER leave a lit tree unattended or lit overnight.
- If using a real tree – constantly give the tree more water as necessary – dry trees are a fire hazard and dangerous.
- Discard your tree when dry or immediately after Christmas; tree fires statistically occur after Christmas.
Around the Home
Besides Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are two days when a cooking fire is most likely to occur.
- NEVER leave cooking food unattended
- Have an accessible fire extinguisher
- Check that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working, charged, and up to date.
From all of us here at Suffolk County Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services – we hope you have a happy, healthy, and most of all – a safe holiday!
