Christmas Tree Safety Tips
By Home Security Source Dec 10, 2010 | 10:35:00 amPosted in: DIY Safety, Fire Prevention, Home 
Oh the Christmas tree, one of many glorious symbols of the holiday season. The fresh pine scent and the twinkling lights may be beautiful, but there are a few things you should know to keep you and your family safe this season. Here are a few tips on Christmas tree safety.
Keep your tree hydrated- Add water to your tree as soon as you get home and remember to water it daily. Dehydrated trees are much more flammable and can catch fire in minutes.
Location, location, location- Do not place your tree near a heat source. Candles, heaters and fireplaces should all be at least three feet from your tree. Also avoid putting your tree near an exit. In the case of an emergency you do not want a tree blocking your way out.
Know your lights- Make sure your lights are approved for indoor use. Outdoor lights have a higher wattage incandescent light bulb, which puts out more heat. The increased heat on a
dehydrated tree can lead to a fire. Also, check to make sure your lights do not have any frayed edges or loose wires.
Decorate thoughtfully- Avoid placing breakable tree ornaments or ones with small, detachable parts on lower branches where small children or pets can reach them.
Unplug- Remember to turn off your tree lights every night before you go to sleep. It doesn’t take long for a tree to catch fire and engulf a home. To avoid this, only keep the lights on when you are home. Some hardware stores offer timers so your lights automatically go off each night.
Know when to take it down- Once your tree starts shedding needles excessively or turns brown, it is time to take it down and
safely store decorations for next year. Contact your city to find out if they have a tree-recycling program and never try to burn the entire tree in your fireplace.
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