Ryan Carter
With all the yuletide spirit going around, police and fire
officials are warning that very same cheer could be stolen or burned
down in moments. Take Christmas trees, for instance.
"They dry extremely quickly," Fire Capt. Ron Bell said.
That dryness, he said, is a danger when a tree is covered with
lights, near a heating vent or next to a window where the sun hits
the tree all day.
"Within seconds of a spark, that tree could be up in flames," Bell
said.
Bell said burning candles left unattended can end up ruining the
holidays.
He remembered one Burbank house that was destroyed a few years ago
because of an unattended candle. No one was injured in the blaze,
"but they lost every- thing for everybody," includ- ing their
Christmas gifts, Bell said.
Police also have a take on yuletide public safety.
"We don't get a whole lot of reports of Christmas tree thefts, but
we do see problems with people stealing Christmas decorations,"
Police Sgt. John Dilibert said.
He also said police will be vigilant about watching for car
burglaries at shopping malls since people sometimes leave gifts in
open view in their cars, which attracts thieves.
Fire officials said there are ways to reduce the fire threat from
combustible pines:
* Make a fresh cut on the trunk because sap will build at its
base, keeping the tree from soaking up water.
* Place tree in water and keep it filled.
* Use mini-lights because they produce less heat.
* Keep tree away from heat sources.
* Remove tree soon after Christmas.
