Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano was joined today by officials from the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management and members of the Elmont Fire Department to offer important Christmas tree safety tips to Nassau residents during this holiday season.
“We all love Christmas trees and the beauty of Christmas lights during the season, but unfortunately, they also pose a fire hazard in our homes. While these types of fires are not common, when they do occur they are costly and often deadly - it only takes a matter of seconds before a tree can become fully engulfed,” said County Executive Mangano.
Christmas tree fires account for approximately 250 house fires each year in the United States, and of those, one-third are caused by electrical problems. A heat source too close to the tree causes one in every five of these fires. It can take only a few seconds for fire to fully engulf a room if a Christmas tree comes in contact with an ignition source, such as a frayed wire or candle.
To ensure holiday safety, County Executive Mangano offers the following safety tips:
“By taking these simple precautions, you and your family can celebrate a fire-safeholiday,” said County Executive Mangano. “I wish all Nassau County residents a safe and happy holiday season.”