Top 5 Ways to Keep Your Christmas Tree Safe
Posted on 17 December 2008 by joy
Christmas trees have got to be one of my favorite parts of the holiday season. The smell alone is enough to put in the festive holiday spirit. There’s nothing better than walking into a warm house and breathing in the beautifully fresh scent of a Christmas pine. And with all of the lights and colorful decorations… really, how could you go wrong?
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, keeping your Christmas tree safe is a big part of keeping your home warm, inviting and safe this holiday season. Christmas tree fires account for nearly 200 fires each year, resulting in injury and property damage. Injury and damage certainly don’t fit into my holiday season, so here are the top five ways to keep your tree and your home safe this Christmas.
1. Water the tree as soon as you get it home, and then water it regularly, checking the tree’s water level every other day. If you can’t put the tree in the stand right away, place it in a bucket of water in a location away from sunshine and wind. A well-hydrated tree looks better, lasts longer and is less flammable.
2. Make sure your tree is in a safe location, away from heat sources such as heaters, radiators, fireplaces and electrical appliances. Keep your tree cool and it’ll stay safe and will stay fresh longer.
3. Before placing lights on the tree, check for loose connections, frayed or exposed wires, and broken plugs. Christmas lights should be small, cool lights that have certification from a testing laboratory.
4. Know your extension cord. Follow the directions that came with your cord when you’re connecting strings of lights. As a general rule, you should have no more than three strings of lights per extension cord.
5. Never leave a lit tree unattended. Just don’t do it. Unplug your tree before you leave the house or go to bed.
It’s that easy! Have a safe and super happy holiday!
Related posts
Tags | christmas, christmas tree, holiday, safety
