Fire Chief Encourages Throwing Out Trees And Testing DetectorsFire Chief Encourages Throwing Out Trees And Testing Detectors

12/30/12 - If you haven’t done so already, the Brighton Area Fire Authority says it is time to throw out your live Christmas tree. Fire Chief Mike O’Brian tells WHMI that it’s a best to get the trees out of your home as soon as possible and eliminate the potential fire hazard. He encourages local residents to discard trees during their normal garbage pick-up or at a community tree collection site. He adds that residents never burn old Christmas trees in fireplaces or indoor furnaces, but they might be suitable for burning outdoors. With everyone getting ready for a new year and the recent winter weather, O’Brian says now is a good time to practice fire safety. He says it is important to have working smoke alarms, which will be provided and installed by most local fire departments, as well as carbon monoxide detectors. Anyone planning to take down Christmas decorations and lights outside should use caution because ladders, roofs and other surfaces are starting to get slick. He adds that it’s also a good time to re-inspect cords and lights to make sure that they are not damaged. (TD)