O Christmas Tree

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree, how lovely are thy branches. But not if they go up in flames as so many Christmas Trees do each year due to frayed wires, using outdoor lights on indoor decoration, and replacing low wattage bulbs with high wattage bulbs.

According to the National Fire Prevention Association, “[d]uring the four-year period of 2003-2006, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 240 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year. These fires caused an average of 16 deaths, 25 injuries, and $13.1 million in direct property damage annually.”

To keep safe this Christmas Season, please read the information below for all will not be merry and bright if these safety tips are not heeded. You must be aware that many decorations that we pull out every year has the potential to cause a fire or cause some kind of electrical injury.

Christmas Tree
The first step is to be very careful when you chose your Christmas tree. Depending on the condition of the tree affects its flammability potential. Trees that are older, brittle, and dried-out can ignite and burn much faster than trees that have been freshly cut and well hydrated. Keep the following tips in mind when choosing a live Christmas tree.
• Before taking a Christmas tree home, make sure that its needles are fresh, green, and firmly attached to the branches. Bend the needles between your fingers – if they break, the tree is too dry. Also check that the tree trunk’s cut surface is sticky to the touch. As a final precaution, pick the tree up vertically and tap the trunk against the ground; if needles fall off, move on to another tree.
• Generally, Christmas trees with thicker needles take longer to dry out, so a robust variety like the Noble Fir is a good choice.
• If buying a live tree every year is not for you, then remember this; make sure that the artificial tree you choose is flame retardant.

Setting Up Your Christmas Tree
The second step is setting up and caring for your tree, which can also have affects on how long the tree will last, how beautiful it will stay, and, how safe it will be to have in your home.
• Before setting your tree in a stand, cut a couple of inches off the bottom of the trunk to expose fresher, more absorbent wood. This may take some time in the beginning, but will have a lasting effect throughout the life of the tree. Doing this will keep the tree more hydrated by taking in more water, resulting in decreased potential of catching fire.
• Use a tree stand that can hold at least one gallon or more of water. One gallon of water is about how much water an average six foot trees consumes in a day. If you buy a taller tree, then go by a general rule: for every inch of trunk diameter, add one quart of water.
• Water your tree daily without fail.
• Place your tree in a safe location and at least three feet away from any candles, fireplaces, space heaters, radiators, heat vents, or other heat sources.

Lights and Decorations
The third step is making sure you check all electrical decorations and lights. Since almost half of all tree fires result from malfunctioning electrical equipment, ensure all electrical devices are in good condition, free from splits, frays, or damage of any kind. Do not chance using a damaged wire/cord.
• Read the labels on all electrical devices, making sure that all lights, electric decorations, and extension cords are marked with a UL-listed mark.
• For outdoor decorations, make sure that you use lights and decorations that are rated for outdoor use. Putting indoor-only products outside in the weather can result in electric shock and fire hazards.
• If you’re in doubt as to whether light strings are rated for indoor or outdoor use, just check the color-coded UL mark on the product’s package. A green holographic UL mark is for “indoors only”, while a red one indicates the product is safe for both indoor and outdoor use.
• Inspect all lights (old and new), electrical decorations, and extension cords for any signs of damage to wire insulation, plugs, and bulbs. If the damage can be repaired, do not use the item until the repair has been made. If cords and plugs are damaged, discard the entire piece, and replace with a new one.
• Always unplug lights before changing bulbs, replacing fuses, or making any other repairs.
• If you need to replace a bulb in a string of lights, make sure that the wattage rating of the replacement bulb you’re using matches that of the light strand. Using a bulb with too high a wattage can cause the light string to overheat, creating a fire hazard.

If you would like more information on keeping your holidays safe, please go to National Fire Protection Agency’s (NFPA) guide to Winter/Holiday Safety or Holiday Fire Safety suggestions from the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA).

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