Portsmouth NH Fire Department Offers Holiday Fire Safety Reminders

The City of Portsmouth NH Fire Department is offering fire safety guidelines for the holidays. Portsmouth Fire Department Chief William McQuillen commented, “Portsmouth has suffered some of the most tragic and destructive fires in its history during the holiday season. The City of Portsmouth NH Fire Department strives to reduce the incidence of fire damage and injury at all times and is proud of its record. Fire prevention is our first priority. In the interest of ensuring fire safety during the holiday season and as temperatures drop and home heating concerns rise, the Department offers these reminders.”

Christmas Tree Safety

• To choose the freshest tree, needles should be green, flexible, and hard to pull off
• Water fresh trees daily
• Keep trees away from heat sources. Maintain a 3-ft clearance from heat sources such as fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, and space heaters
• Replace damaged cords and never use candles near the tree
• Turn off lights before going to bed or leaving home
• Dispose of the tree promptly after the holidays or when it becomes dry
• Artificial trees tend to be safer than natural ones

The Fire Department always enjoys seeing the efforts of those participating in the Citywide Neighborhood Committee Holiday Lights Contest [portsnh.co/HolidayLights2025] and suggests the following tips:

Holiday Lighting Safety

• Inspect lights for frayed wires, loose connections, or broken bulbs
• Avoid overloading outlets or daisy-chaining multiple power strips
• Be sure that lights used outdoors are rated for outdoor use
• Fasten outdoor lights with clips, not nails or staples

As was evident in the Illuminated Holiday Parade, Santa is a great friend and ally of the Fire Department and encourages those with fireplaces and woodstoves to keep their chimneys clean to avoid chimney fires. Santa Claus also reminds those with chimneys to leave roof work for the professionals.

Heating & General Home Safety

• Have your chimney and fireplace inspected annually
• Keep space heaters three feet away from anything that can burn
• Plug heaters directly into the wall outlet, not extension cords
• Never use portable propane heaters indoors or anywhere without proper ventilation
• Ensure smoke alarms and CO detectors are working and less than 10 years old

Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and fire injuries. According to the National Fire Protection Association, ranges or cooktops cause 62% of home fires. 

Holiday Cooking Fire Safety

• Keep anything that can catch fire away from your stovetop
• Always unplug countertop alliances when not in use
• Double-check that everything is off when you finish cooking
• Prevent fires by keeping your oven and stovetop clean of grease and dust
• Never leave the kitchen while cooking
• Never cook while sleepy, drinking alcohol, or taking medication that makes you drowsy
• Never disable a smoke alarm while cooking. Open doors or windows for ventilation if you anticipate smoke will be generated by high heat cooking
• Never use a cooking stove to heat your home

For more suggestions, visit these National Fire Protection Association holiday home safety tips: NFPA - Winter holidays.