Holiday Safety – Tip # 7: Christmas Tree Safety

December 18, 2008 on 9:46 am | In Home Safety Tips and Topics, How To's and Helpful Tips | 2 Comments

Use the following to determine the freshness of a tree:

          Bend – Bend a few needles between your fingers.  If the tree is fresh, they should bend but not break.  (A fresh tree is moister and less flammable than a dry tree.)

        Shake – Shake the tree or tap the trunk on the ground.  If the tree is fresh, only a few needles will fall off.

 

Keeping your tree fresh:

        Just before putting your tree in the stand, cut a diagonal slice off the bottom of the trunk to help the tree absorb water.

        Keep the tree away from heat sources like fireplaces and heaters.

 

Lights and decorations:

·      Carefully check each strand of lights for missing bulbs and frayed, exposed wires before hanging them.

·      Replace missing bulbs and throw away damaged strands.  Plug in and lay each strand on a nonflammable surface.  Watch for 15 minutes making sure they don’t smoke or melt.

·      When hanging lights, make sure the bulbs are not in direct contact with tree needles, ornaments, curtains or other flammable materials.

·      Make sure to hang glass ornaments and tinsel out of the reach of small children and pets who may choke on or break them.

·      Keep light strands and extension cords away from water under the tree and out of the reach of small children and pets.

·      Don’t put cords under rugs.  Wires can overheat and ignite them.

·      Make sure to keep cords out of traffic paths where they can be tripped over.

·      When stringing lights and other decorations, do not overload electrical outlets.

·      Unplug all inside and outside decorations before going to be or leaving home.

·      After the holidays, never burn the tree in the fireplace.  Recycle or discard your tree in accordance with your community’s rules and procedures.