Trim the tree with care, fire chief says

Deepa Bharath

For Costa Mesa Fire Chief Jim Ellis, the holidays are a time when all

the happiness is tinged with just a bit of nervousness.

When Ellis walks into a friend’s home and sees a browning

Christmas tree with its base still attached, it sends a chill down

his spine. He knows it’s a fire waiting to happen.

“Maybe they’ll be lucky, and there won’t be a fire,” he said. “But

when you’re not careful and don’t take the necessary precautions,

there’s always a chance.”

Ellis has seen those worst-case scenarios. Years ago, as a

firefighter, he responded to a call at a home where a child had

lighted both a match and a Christmas tree that was near the

fireplace. The family lost its home, and it took the family years to

get back on its feet.

“I’ve been their Secret Santa all these years,” Ellis admitted

with a smile. “I couldn’t forget about them.”

It’s not just Christmas trees that could ruin the holidays.

Candles are a major hazard, too, said Teri Durnall, a Costa Mesa fire

prevention specialist.

“An open flame is dangerous anywhere, and it can be very dangerous

in a home sitting right next to drapes or even in the bathroom, where

you can forget to put it off.”

Police are preparing for the holidays, too, and the problem of the

season -- drunk driving.

The Costa Mesa Police Department will participate in a

state-sponsored DUI enforcement program. The department will conduct

two sobriety checkpoints during the holidays, officials said.

The Newport Beach Police Department will also have at least one

checkpoint during the holidays, Newport Police Sgt. Steve Shulman

said.

“The holiday season can be one of the most dangerous times of the

year to be on our nation’s roads,” said Costa Mesa Police Lt. Karl

Schuler, who is also the state chair for Mothers Against Drunk

Driving.

“DUI is not an accident, it’s a choice,” he said. “Everyone has a

choice when they are drinking. They can plan ahead and have a

designated driver, take a cab, or choose to get behind the wheel and

risk their own life as well as the lives of everyone else on the

road.”