Make Sure Your Christmas Tree Doesn’t Go Up In Flames

 

For millions of American households, this time of year is marked by families celebrating around the Christmas tree. But according to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), holiday season fires account for more than $900 million in property damage each year. It only takes a few seconds for a holiday tree fire to engulf an entire room. By making sure your tree is kept well-watered, you can prevent serious injuries or even death.

The USFA has a few tips to keep in mind for making sure a holiday tree in your home is as safe as possible:

• Choose a freshly cut tree: Check that the needles are green, hard to pull from the branches, and that they don’t break.
• Never place your tree close to any heat source. This includes a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will make your tree dry out faster, and become a fire hazard.
• Don’t put your tree up too early.
•  Don’t leave your tree up for more than two weeks.
• Check your holiday lights for frayed wires or gaps in the insulation. Be sure there are no broken or cracked sockets.
• Never overload your electrical outlets. Don’t link too many light strings together, and check wires periodically, they shouldn’t be warm to the touch.
• Never use lit candles to decorate your tree, and only use non-flamable decorations.
• Always keep your tree stand filled with water, and when the tree becomes dry, throw it away immediately. Take your tree to a recycling center, or have it picked up by your trash disposal service.

So many of us look forward to the fun of the holiday season, and by keeping safety in mind, you can help to make sure you and your family can enjoy many future celebrations. Check out the U.S. Fire Administration site for more holiday fire safety tips.