Christmas Tree Buying Safety Tips

Many families will be purchasing a live Christmas tree in the coming days. While beautiful, a live tree when not properly cared for can be a home fire hazard.  According to the National Fire Protection Association, an estimated 210 home structure fires per year began with Christmas trees between 2010-2014. These fires caused an annual average of six civilian deaths, 16 civilian injuries, and $16.2 million in direct property damage. Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur, they are much more likely to be deadly than most other fires.

Keep your family safe while enjoying this great holiday tradition by following a few simple safety tips found in this video:

Christmas tree tips include:

• Before buying your live tree, pull gently on the branches, and if the needles fall off, it is already too dry for your home.
• Also, make sure to cut 1-2 inches off the base of the tree to expose fresh wood before placing in the tree stand with water.
• If you are going to get an artificial tree, make sure it comes with a UL label, and be certain that it is made of fire retardant materials.
• When decorating, only use UL labeled lights and flame retardant materials. Also check holiday lights for frayed wires and excessive wear.
• Do not overload the power strip. Piggyback splitters are dangerous, and electrical cords should never be run under carpeting.
• Have an emergency plan ready for your home in case of a fire, and always have a fire extinguisher ready.
• Have a working smoke detector outside of every room and on every floor.
• Finally, remember to sleep with your bedroom doors closed to keep smoke out during a fire.

For more tips, and to learn more about “Keep the Wreath Green,” check out myescambia.com/KeepTheWreathGreen.