- Never leave a burning candle unattended or on any type of cloth, doily, or wood; it is safer to place the candle on a metal surface or glass container.
- Always keep candles away from children.
- Never place your candles near holiday decorations, pets, bedding or curtains.
- Never use a candle near a tree or as a decoration on a tree.
- Always extinguish any flame before you go to sleep at night or leave your home.
Please remember:
- Do not dispose of fireplace and wood stove ashes until they are dead out. Heat can stay in ashes or coals for 3-7 days after your fire is out.
- Never place ashes or coals into paper bags or plastic containers.
- Always use a metal container to transport the ashes or coals to a safe place.
- Never place ashes or coals into a dumpster or trash can for disposal. They can and do start fires.
- Make sure your tree is fresh, re-cut the trunk at least one inch above the old cut and keep the fresh cut end of the tree trunk in water. Check the water level in the Christmas tree stand daily.
- Never place your tree near a heat source.
- Never use old or frayed electrical cords.
- Promptly remove your tree after the holiday and dispose of properly.
For more safety tips visit your nearest CAL FIRE, Madera or Merced County Fire Station or at: www.fire.ca.gov. CAL FIRE wishes you and your family a safe and happy holiday season.
“The Spirit of Fire”
A Fire Prevention Poem
T’was the night before Christmas, when all through the house,
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
When down through the chimney, all covered with soot,
Came the “Spirit of Fire”, an ugly galoot.
His eyes glowed like embers, his features were stern,
As he looked all around for something to burn.
What he saw made him grumble his anger grew higher
Fore there wasn’t a thing that would start a good fire.
No door had been blocked by the big Christmas tree.
It stood in the corner leaving passageways free.
The lights that glowed brightly for Betty and Tim,
Had been hung with precaution so none touched a limb.
All wiring was new not a break could be seen
And wet sand at its base kept the tree nice and green.
The tree had been trimmed by mother insistent
That the ornaments used be fire resistant.
The mother had known the things to avoid,
Like cotton and paper and plain celluloid.
Rock wool, metal icicles and trinkets of glass
Gave life to the tree – It really had class.
And, would you believe it, right next to the tree
Was a suitable box for holding debris.
A place to hold wrapping of paper and string
From all the gifts that Santa might bring.
The ugly galoot was so mad he could bust
As he climbed up the chimney in utter disgust.
For the folks in this home had paid close attention
To all the rules of good fire prevention.
CAL FIRE Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit wishes you and your family a safe holiday season.
