Officials are renewing their annual appeal for electrical and fire safety during the holidays as a Southern California family mourns a 24-year-old man who was electrocuted while hanging Christmas lights at his family’s home.
The holiday tragedy occurred on the morning of Nov. 21 in an Escondido neighborhood where Antonio Pascual was hanging Christmas decorations on the roof of the house, according to San Diego County Medical Examiner officials. The house was located near a high-voltage line.
“The decedent threw the lights over the power line, which resulted in electrocution,” the agency said in a written statement. “Paramedics arrived on scene and found the deceased hanging upside down from a tree.”
Antonio Pascual, 24, of Escondido was electrocuted by a power line on Thursday, November 21, 2024, while hanging Christmas lights on his family’s home.
First responders freed Pascual from the tree and rushed him to a hospital, where he was quickly pronounced dead, officials said.
Investigators determined through an autopsy that Pascual died of electrocution, records show. The death was ruled an accident.
San Diego Gas & Electric officials, along with representatives from other utility companies, are urging residents to never touch or come near power lines and to maintain a distance of at least 10 feet.
If power lines are interfering with tree trimming or other necessary work, residents are advised to first call their local utility company for assistance.
Electrical problems are responsible for most holiday-related fires
According to the National Fire Protection Association, between 2018 and 2022, firefighters responded to an average of 155 home fires ignited by Christmas trees each year, as well as another 835 home fires sparked by decorations other than Christmas trees.
“These fires caused an average of three fire fatalities, 30 civilian injuries, and $14 million in direct property damage annually,” an NFPA statement said.
41% of Christmas tree fires involved electrical lighting or distribution equipment.
Another 20% of Christmas tree fires were blamed on lights or light bulbs, while 11% were started by candles, officials said.
About 46% of total decorating-related fires were caused by candles in December, compared to about 32% in the other 11 months of the year, NFPA officials said. Candles should never be placed within 12 inches of anything flammable and should always be placed in stable candle holders.
Although Thanksgiving is the peak day for cooking fires in the US, it is immediately followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.
Limiting the risk of fire from Christmas trees
Fire officials offered several Christmas tree safety tips to prevent the holiday from turning into a tragedy.
The 55-foot Christmas tree at the Acrisure Arena Holiday Tree Lighting event is on display in Palm Desert, California, Wednesday, November 13, 2024.
Christmas trees should be watered daily because dry trees can burn extremely quickly and hot, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.
Christmas trees should be kept at least one meter away from heat sources, including heaters, radiators and fireplaces, and should not block exits. Trees should be placed on a sturdy base to prevent falling.
Manufacturer’s instructions should always be followed when it comes to Christmas lights and other electrical appliances, the agency said.
Those using artificial trees should make sure they are fire-resistant, Los Angeles County Fire Department officials added.
The department also recommends inspecting holiday lights every year before setting them up, and removing any lights with frayed wires, bare spots, insulation holes, cracked sockets or excessive kinking or wear.
The older and drier Christmas trees become, the greater the fire hazard they pose, according to the NFPA. For this reason, it is best to dispose of trees immediately after the holidays, or as soon as they become dry.
NFPA officials said 36% of Christmas tree fires typically occur in January.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: A California man was electrocuted while hanging Christmas lights at home
