YOUR AD HERE »

Be safe this holiday season

Sallie Ross-Filgo
South Lake Tahoe Fire Department

The city firefighters would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and offer tips to help you and your family stay safe during the holidays.

When decorating your home, please inspect your lighting strings and extension cords for broken, frayed or damaged wires. Be careful not to overload an electrical circuit with the use of multiple plug connections or splitters.

Finally, remember to discard your Christmas tree soon after Christmas before it becomes a tinder dry fire hazard.



Select a fresh tree with good color and firm, flexible needles that do not easily pull from the branches.

Place the tree in plain water immediately after re-cutting the trunk at least 1⁄2 inch above the old cut. The container you use for your tree should hold 2 to 4 quarts of water. The longer you wait to place your tree in water, the greater the chances are that it will lose the required moisture content to keep it fresh through the holiday season. Never place your tree on a wooden stand.



Locate the tree away from sources of heat. Avoid placing the tree near heaters, wood stoves, fireplaces, large appliances such as TVs, and direct sunlight. Be careful not to block a door or other exitway with the tree or rearranged furniture.

Use mini-lights on your tree and never place candles on or near your tree! Remove your Christmas tree as soon as possible after the holiday. Never burn your Christmas tree or wrapping paper in the fireplace. The rapid burning and excessive heat can damage the firebox and chimney creating a serious fire hazard.

The SLTFD wants to wish everyone a fun and safe holiday season.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

Readers around the Lake Tahoe Basin and beyond make the Tahoe Tribune's work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.

Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.

Your donation will help us continue to cover COVID-19 and our other vital local news.