Preventing fires in the Hudson Valley: Fire crews give reminders to stay safe
Officials say they've seen an increase in fires related to lithium-ion batteries.
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Fire officials are sharing important message on Christmas Eve about fire safety.
Emergency crews in the Hudson Valley say this is a busy time of year for them when it comes to responding to house fires.
Officials say they've seen an increase in fires related to lithium-ion batteries. Those are used in a lot of electronics.
"We are seeing an uptick. It's not so much with the batteries -- it's with the charging systems. If you end up getting a gift that is not 'UL' rated or rated for safety, and you don't monitor it when it's charging, the charger is what will go bad. Once that happens, it's very explosive," says Yonkers Fire Department Executive Assistant Chief PJ Goldfeder.
Goldfeder says it's a good idea to keep a close eye on the batteries while charging and don't leave them on the charger overnight.
Another thing to keep on your radar this time of year is your Christmas tree and make sure it's watered.
"We average about 143 home fires a year related to Christmas trees. When they dry out, they can ignite more easily and burn more intensely," says Christopher Kear, of the Rockland County's Fire & Emergency Services.
Fire officials also say to be careful with space heaters. They urge you to keep them a safe distance from furniture, blankets or any flammable things.
