 The winter holidays are a joyous time of year. The Oak Brook Fire Department wants to make sure that you and your loved ones enjoy this season with no fires and no burn injuries. Remember that the improper use of space heaters, woodburning stoves, fireplaces, candles, fireworks, holiday lighting, etc. can and have caused many home fires, especially during the holiday season. The following are fire safety tips to help you celebrate this wonderful season more safely.
Fireworks Safety – When ringing in the New Year, leave fireworks to the professionals. Fireworks
 such as fire crackers, roman candles, bottle rockets, etc. are illegal in Illinois and have resulted in numerous roof fires, as well as deaths and injuries each year. Even sparklers burn at high temperatures and the thin hot wires can cause severe burns in the hands of children. Please do not celebrate the holiday season with fireworks for everyone’s safety.
Portable Heater Safety - All portable heating equipment should bear the mark of an independent testing laboratory, indicating that the heater has met basic safety standards. When shopping for portable space heaters, look for automatic shut off safety features. Keep all combustible materials away from portable heaters. Place them at least three feet away from furniture, walls or anything else that burns. Remember to turn them off when you leave home or go to bed. Never use kerosene heaters indoors.
? Candle Safety – Keep your candlewicks trimmed to ¼ inch and never leave burning candles unattended. The safest way to burn candles is in a non-combustible candleholder with a glass chimney over the candle. In buildings of public assemblies such as churches and hotels, glass chimneys are mandated by fire codes. Candles are prohibited in commercial businesses. Remember that centerpiece candles burn quickly and should not be used where they can burn down and ignite decorations and/or tablecloths.
Holiday Lighting Safety - Use only lights with the UL label from Underwriters Laboratories. Read the
 manufacturer’s instructions carefully and do not use more than the recommended number of lights on one circuit. Always turn off lights on trees and other decorations when you go to sleep or leave your home. Use power strips with circuit breakers designed for the quantity of lights you are using rather than extension cords whenever possible. Never run extension cords under carpet or rugs and be sure to use a large enough extension cord for the wattage being used.
Furnace Safety - Central heating systems should be inspected at least once a year by a qualified professional. Never store combustible materials near a furnace and be sure all controls and shut-offs are in good working condition. In addition, every home should be equipped with smoke detectors on all floors and carbon monoxide detectors in all sleeping quarters.
Chimney Safety - Have your wood stove and fireplace chimneys inspected and cleaned at least once a year. Never use flammable liquids to start any fire. Always keep a glass or metal screen in front of fireplace openings. Be sure dampers are in good working order and never leave a fire unattended.
Holiday Tree Safety – Make sure your artificial holiday tree is approved by Underwriter’s Laboratory
 and never used electric lights on aluminum trees. Real evergreen trees should be kept in stands where the base allows the water level to remain high at all times. Do not purchase live trees that are shedding needles, they should be fresh. Do not place trees near heating vents or fireplaces and never use lighted candles on or near trees.
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f pine in the air and the glow of beautiful ornaments and multi-colored lights, holiday trees carry the spirit of the season. However, tree fires will spoil the holiday cheer. The devastation that a tree fire produces not only results in property damage, but also causes injury and even death to occupants.
