Top 6 Live Christmas Tree Safety Tips
When it comes to Christmas decorations, there is no substitute for a real, live Christmas tree. Live trees require special care when they are inside your home. Each year, up to 300 Christmas tree fires are reported in the U.S. alone. Here are some tips to care for your tree, and to have a safe holiday season.
The most important safety tip for live trees is to keep them watered! A dry tree is a far greater fire hazard than a well-watered tree. Depending on the size of your tree and your local climate, a live tree can drink up to 1 1/2 gallons of water per day. If the stand is out of water, fill it back up.
Before placing your tree into the stand, use a hacksaw or axe to cut 1/2 inch off the bottom of the trunk. This will remove any dried sap and allow the tree to more easily absorb water.
Make sure your tree is drinking water. If the water level in the stand doesn't seem to be going down for more than a day, then your tree isn't taking up water. This could lead to a dangerous drying out. Check the trunk for dried sap or other obstructions.
Verify that your stand is not leaking water. A stand that leaks is dangerous for two different reasons. First, it fools you into thinking the tree is drinking more water than it actually is, which could lead to a dry tree. Second, cords from lights or other decorations may drag across the water outside the stand, creating an electrical fire hazard. If you suspect that your stand is leaking, fix or replace it immediately.
Dispose of your tree before it dries out. A well-watered tree can last for 6 to 8 weeks, depending on the size and your local climate. Once the needles start to turn brown or start falling off, the tree is drying out and needs to be disposed of.
Place your tree at least 3 feet from fireplaces, furnaces, radiators and other sources of heat. Although this seems like an obvious tip, many people still place their tree directly next to the fireplace. Although a well-watered tree isn't easy to ignite, it can and does happen. Be safe: put the tree somewhere else.
Live trees add a special touch to the holiday season. Keep your tree watered and away from heat sources, and have a safe and happy holiday!
Make sure your tree is drinking water. If the water level in the stand doesn't seem to be going down for more than a day, then your tree isn't taking up water. This could lead to a dangerous drying out. Check the trunk for dried sap or other obstructions.
Verify that your stand is not leaking water. A stand that leaks is dangerous for two different reasons. First, it fools you into thinking the tree is drinking more water than it actually is, which could lead to a dry tree. Second, cords from lights or other decorations may drag across the water outside the stand, creating an electrical fire hazard. If you suspect that your stand is leaking, fix or replace it immediately.
Dispose of your tree before it dries out. A well-watered tree can last for 6 to 8 weeks, depending on the size and your local climate. Once the needles start to turn brown or start falling off, the tree is drying out and needs to be disposed of.
Place your tree at least 3 feet from fireplaces, furnaces, radiators and other sources of heat. Although this seems like an obvious tip, many people still place their tree directly next to the fireplace. Although a well-watered tree isn't easy to ignite, it can and does happen. Be safe: put the tree somewhere else.
Live trees add a special touch to the holiday season. Keep your tree watered and away from heat sources, and have a safe and happy holiday!
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