Christmas Tree Fire Safety Tips

Christmas trees are a very popular part of celebrating the holiday season. While Christmas tree fires are uncommon, the ensuing damage can be severe. Moreover, half of the reported Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical malfunctions and heat sources. Follow these tips to prevent Christmas tree fires in your home:

• If you’re using a real Christmas tree, cut 2 inches from the base of the trunk before placing in the stand. This allows the tree to better absorb water.
• Water the tree daily to make sure it stays hydrated. If your tree is about 6 feet tall, add about 1 gallon of water to the tree stand every day.
• Keep the tree at a safe distance away from any heat source, such as radiators, fireplaces, lights or candles.
• Ensure the tree is not blocking exits or footpaths, so it won’t get knocked over.
• To decorate the tree, use only lights that are rated for indoor use. Also check for the label of an independent testing laboratory, such as Underwriters’ Laboratory (UL).
• Before using lights, ensure there are no frayed wires, broken bulbs and cords, cracked sockets or loose bulb connections.
• Don’t overload electrical outlets or extension cords. Plug lights into different circuits around your home.
• Turn off the Christmas lights when going to bed or leaving home.
• Never use burning candles to decorate a tree. Use battery-operated, flameless LED candles instead.
• After Christmas, or when the real tree dries out and starts dropping needles, discard it. Dry trees are a fire hazard, so don’t keep yours in the home or garage. Find a recycling program in your community.

For increased Christmas tree safety, consider purchasing a Christmas tree safety system. These devices warn you when there is low water in the tree stand or if a fire starts. Even if you use such a safety system, always make sure your smoke alarms are working and test them monthly. Find out more about testing and replacing your smoke alarms here.

Enjoy a safe holiday season by being vigilant of fire hazards in your home. For professional emergency smoke damage repair or fire damage repair, contact your local PuroClean office.