How to Set Up a Christmas Tree Safely: Emergency Situations Ministry

To celebrate the New Year holidays joyfully, with high spirits and without incidents, it is essential to strictly adhere to the fire safety rules regarding the Christmas tree, which is a symbol of the holiday.

In particular:

• Place the tree on a sturdy base so that the branches do not touch the walls, ceiling, and are at a safe distance from electrical appliances and household heaters.
• The tree is permitted to be placed on the 1st (or in extreme cases, the 2nd) floor, in a spacious room that has more than one evacuation exit.
• Put the trunk of the tree in a bucket filled with wet sand and keep it moist as it dries out.
• If the fir dries out, dispose of it, as it can ignite like a torch.
• For lighting, use electric bulbs no more than 12 watts, ensuring that their connections and wires are welded and securely insulated.
• In areas designated for New Year celebrations, it is necessary to always have initial fire extinguishing means on hand, such as fire extinguishers, water, sand, blankets, etc., as well as electric lamps.
• The supervision of the Christmas trees should be entrusted to individuals who have undergone prior instruction.

It is prohibited to:

• Place the tree in walkways, corridors, or in front of doors.
• Use festoon lights, various fire-dangerous pyrotechnics, fireworks, illuminate with candles, ignite flammable substances, or create other lighting that could cause fires.
• Decorate with balls, balloons, toys, and decorations made from flammable materials, as well as materials that can burn or explode when in contact with each other and those containing flammable gases.
• Adorn the tree with non-flame-resistant celluloid toys, tinsel, cotton, etc.
• Darken the places of events by closing windows with covers, decreasing the distances between guests, or placing extra armchairs in walkways, or dimming lights during events.
• Block access routes with any kind of items and materials, obstruct evacuation exits, or create obstacles to the free evacuation of people in emergency pathways.

Remember: the shiny metallic decorations made of aluminum foil are particularly dangerous. They can short-circuit electric garlands if a bulb falls off.

Do not forget: do not leave children unattended near Christmas trees, as this can lead to unfortunate accidents.

And if a fire breaks out, the following actions should be taken:

• When an electric garland is burning, immediately disconnect it from the power supply or turn off the section from the main electrical panel.
• Call the fire service and evacuate children from the room.
• Lay the tree on the floor to prevent the fire from spreading upwards (posters and curtains may ignite), cover it with a blanket, sprinkle sand on the fire, or pour water on it (if it is a natural tree).
• A synthetic (artificial) tree burns very quickly, melting and releasing toxic substances (carbon monoxide, cyanide, phosgene) during combustion. It is dangerous to extinguish burning polymers with water as it may lead to sparks and splatter.
• Do not touch the burning tree with bare hands; cover it with a thick fabric blanket and sprinkle with sand.
• Do not open doors and windows, as the draft may intensify the fire.
• If it is impossible to extinguish the fire, tightly close the door to the burning room and extinguish it from the outside with water.

During mass events with a large number of children, to avoid possible severe consequences from crowding during evacuation, it is necessary to prepare a panic prevention action plan. Therefore, during such events, tree supervision must be conducted by individuals who have been previously instructed.

It is important to understand that following these safety rules does not require much effort; rather, it will ensure safety and a joyful spirit during the New Year celebrations.