Christmas Tree Safety
Now that the Turkey leftovers are gone, it’s time to start decking the halls and putting up the Christmas Tree. If you plan on purchasing a real tree this year, use these following guidelines to keep your family and guests safe from fires this Holiday Season:
* A tree that is fresh holds more moisture which helps decrease the chance of a fire. You can check for freshness by gently pulling the needles to be sure they don’t easily detach from the branches. Also examine the trunk to see that the resin is sticky as opposed to resin which is dried out.
* Now that you have selected a fresh tree, be sure to keep it moist throughout the season by inspecting the water level on a daily basis. Depending on the size, a tree can require up to a gallon of water per day and if not sufficiently watered, can quickly dry out causing a fire hazard.
* When setting up the tree in your home, position it away from any heat source such as candles, fireplaces, and/or portable heaters.
* Examine the light strands you intend to place on the tree and replace ones that have frayed wires. Also replace broken bulbs and be sure to follow manufacturer’s instructions on the amount of strands you can safely connect.
Following these tips will ensure you have a safe and fun Holiday Season for family and friends!