The holiday season has started. The Fire Department would like to issue several guidelines to the public in order for everybody to celebrate the holiday season in a safe manner incident free.
In connection with decorations: do not overload outlets; do not put flammable decorations next to surfaces that will get hot; test Christmas tree and outdoor lights before hanging them.
Keep your Christmas tree moist if you purchase a real tree. At the end of the holiday season, do not burn your tree, and do not put the tree near to open flames or hot surfaces.
With respect to fireworks, these can only be sold by a licensed retailer; persons under 18 may not purchase fireworks; minors may not use fireworks unsupervised; and fireworks should be used according to the instructions.
Fireworks can only be sold from December 29 to 31.
Fireworks can only be used on December 31, 2014 from 10.00pm to 2.00am, January 1, 2015.
The management and staff of the St. Maarten Fire Department would like to wish the populace of the country a safe and incident free holiday season with family and friends.