Holiday Fire Prevention Tips
Each year fires occurring during the holiday season injure 2,600 individuals
and cause over $930 million in damage. According to the United Sates Fire Administration
(USFA), there are simple life-saving steps you can take to ensure a safe and happy
holiday. By following some of the outlined precautionary tips, individuals can
greatly reduce their chances of becoming a holiday fire casualty.
Preventing Holiday Tree Fires
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Holiday Tree Fire Hazards - Movie segments demonstrating how fast a live Christmas tree can become fully
engulfed in flames. Special fire safety precautions need to be taken when keeping
a live tree in the house. A burning tree can rapidly fill a room with fire and
deadly gases.
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Selecting a Tree for the Holiday - Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches,
and the needle should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should
be sticky to the touch. Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk
on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long, has probably
dried out, and is a fire hazard.
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Caring for Your Tree - Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat
vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by
heat, flame or sparks. Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a
tree. Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two
weeks. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.
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Disposing of Your Tree -Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or woodburning stove. When
the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. The best way to dispose of your tree
is by taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away by a community
pick-up service.
Holiday Lights
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Maintain Your Holiday Lights - Inspect holiday lights each year for frayed wires, bare spots, gaps in the insulation,
broken or cracked sockets, and excessive kinking or wear before putting them up.
Use only lighting listed by an approved testing laboratory.
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Do Not Overload Electrical Outlets - Do not link more than three light strands, unless the directions indicate it
is safe. Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord
into the outlet. Make sure to periodically check the wires - they should not be
warm to the touch.
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Do Not Leave Holiday Lights on Unattended
Holiday Decorations
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Use Only Nonflammable Decorations - All decorations should be nonflammable or flame-retardant and placed away from
heat vents.
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Never Put Wrapping Paper in a Fireplace - It can throw off dangerous sparks and produce a chemical buildup in the home
that could cause an explosion.
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Artificial Holiday Trees - If you are using a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant.
Candle Care
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Avoid Using Lit Candles - If you do use them, make sure they are in stable holders and place them where
they cannot be easily knocked down. Never leave the house with candles burning.
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Never Put Lit Candles on a Tree - Do not go near a holiday tree with an open flame - candles, lighters or matches.
Finally, as in every season, have working smoke alarms installed on every level
of your home, test them monthly and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries
at all times. Know when and how to call for help. And remember to practice your
home escape plan.
Summer camp 2007






Emergency Services Day
The 1st Annual O'Hara Township Emergency Services Day (ESD) was well received by all those in attendance. This community orientated expo
is designed to let the residents 'get up close and personel' to the apparatus, equipment & most importantly the men and women of the
fire and EMS service in the Township. Guyasuta VFD hosted this event at our Station No. 2 located on Locus Drive across from the
Boyd Community Center. Parkview FD, Pleasant Valley VFC and Stat MedEvac all pitched
in to make this a very memorable day. A mock rescue was conducted by the Township's Rescue Department, Guyasuta VFD, Parkview FD demonstarted foam application and Pleasant Valley VFC held a HazMat
demo. We are looking forward to the 2006 ESD. We hope to make this year even better than the original!

A beautiful day on Appartus Row.

Guyasuta VFD Rescue open for inspection. (Sorry about the mud on the tires...that's
what happens when Skitchie gets behind the wheel!)

O'Hara Township Councilman/Firefighter Brian Kozera gives an extinguisher lesson...

Pleasant Valley VFC puts on a HazMat Demo for the folks....

Parkview FD front & center on Apparatus Row with their new foam engine...

Guyasuta VFD's vehicle extrication demo was a big hit...

Yes boys..that's STAT MedEvac landing on the scene..pretty cool!

Guyasuta's own Marty doing that rope thing he is SO good at....

Guyasuta's own C-1 rigging the system on the roof. Who said all Chief's do is
talk on the radio? Hey what is that in C-1's hand...a radio?
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