With Christmas just days away, Pflugerville Fire Department Captain Trevor Stokes urged families to take fire safety seriously during the holiday season. The conversation took place on Monday on KXAN, where Stokes shared practical tips to keep homes safe while celebrating.
Live Trees Need Daily Watering
Stokes explained that a real Christmas tree, unlike an artificial one, requires constant moisture to reduce fire risk. “If you have an actual live tree, opposed to an artificial, it needs to be watered daily. A lot of people don’t think about that. They bring it in the house and they just decorate it and move on. So you definitely want to water it, keep it moist,” he said. Keeping the tree hydrated lowers its oil content and makes it less likely to ignite.
Electrical Systems: Unplug When You Leave
Electrical lights and decorations are a major hazard. Stokes advised, “If you are leaving, go ahead and disconnect the power to those things so that they’re not on while you’re not there so you can monitor it.” The same caution applies to artificial trees: “If it’s an artificial tree, make sure it’s been treated and it’s fire resistant. And again, be cautious of the electrical systems that you’re putting on there,” he added. By unplugging lights and other electronics, homeowners can eliminate a common ignition source.
Dry Trees Burn Quickly
The captain highlighted how quickly a dry tree can catch fire. “So those types of trees, they have high oil content. If they’re dry, they will burn very quickly – so quickly that it would be almost impossible for someone with maybe a pitcher or a bucket of water to put it out inside of a home,” Stokes warned. This underscores the importance of daily watering and monitoring, especially when guests are over and the house is busy.
Cooking Fires Are the Biggest Threat
While decorative hazards matter, Stokes emphasized that cooking fires are the number one cause of residential fires during the holidays. “Within ESD2, the number one cause of fire is cooking fires. That’s another thing during the holidays; people are coming together. Never leave cooking unattended, always be mindful of that,” he said. He added that the data proves time and time again its cooking fires, noting that people often multitask-packing gifts while cooking-adding to the risk.
Smoke Detectors and Smart Alerts
A reliable smoke detector is essential. “Of course, the number one thing is always have a smoke detector in your home,” Stokes said. Modern systems can tie smoke alarms into a home security network, providing real-time alerts on a phone. He also cautioned about gas appliances: “If you’re using a gas powered propane or natural gas, always make sure you have a working CO detector.”
Removing the Tree After the Holidays
When the season ends, families need guidance on disposing of their trees. Stokes directed viewers to the Pflugerville Fire Department website for information. “There’s a lot of information on Pflugervillefire.org, so I direct them there. But also Travis County has spots throughout the county as soon as the holidays are over,” he said. Residents can find local drop-off points for safe tree removal.
Key Takeaways
- Water a real tree daily and keep it moist to reduce fire risk.
- Unplug all lights and decorations when leaving the house.
- Never leave cooking unattended; use a working CO detector if using gas.
- Install and maintain smoke detectors; consider smart alerts.
- Dispose of the tree responsibly through local county programs.
By following these straightforward steps, Pflugerville residents can enjoy a festive holiday season while keeping fire hazards at bay.
