The tree is the centre of the room for a month, and the National Fire Protection Association reports that Christmas trees cause thousands of fires every year. Almost all of them come down to three decisions: which tree, where it stands, and how much water it gets. How dry is the tree in your living room right now?
Choosing the tree
Real: freshness is the safety feature. Look for vibrant green needles that resist coming off the branch, and tap the tree on the ground: if a lot of needles drop, it is already drying out. Artificial: make sure the label says fire-resistant, and look for the certification label confirming it meets the standard.
Where it stands
At least three feet from fireplaces, radiators and heating vents, which both lowers the fire risk and stops the tree drying out early. Secure in a sturdy stand. A falling tree injures people and knocks decorations over. Out of the walking path so it is not knocked, and never blocking an exit.
Keeping it hydrated
Water a real tree every day and check the level daily, because a tree in a warm room drinks quickly. A hydrated tree resists fire; a dry one does not. Watch for browning needles, and if they start, the tree has run its course.
Lights and decorations
Inspect every string for frayed wires and damaged sockets, and throw away anything that fails the look. LED lights produce markedly less heat than incandescent bulbs, so they are the better choice on a tree. Do not overload outlets. If you are running several strands, use a power strip with over-current protection. Turn the lights off before you leave the house or go to bed, and check the tree over daily for anything that has started to look wrong.
After the holidays
Take the tree down as soon as the season is over. A dried-out tree in January is a serious fire hazard, so dispose of it promptly: most communities offer curbside pickup after Christmas, and local recycling programs take them as well.
Have a safe Christmas
If something does go wrong despite all of it, JP Maguire restores homes and businesses after fire and smoke damage across Connecticut. Call 877-576-2484 at any hour.
Where to go from here
If this is happening in your house right now, these are the pages Connecticut homeowners reach for, each one saying what the work involves and how to get a crew rolling: water damage restoration. Water extraction, drying, then the rebuild. fire damage restoration. Soot, smoke odour, and putting the rooms back. mold remediation. Finding it, containing it, and removing it properly. storm damage restoration. Wind damage, fallen trees, emergency tarping. burst pipe repair. Stopping the leak, then repairing what it reached. 24/7 emergency restoration. A person on the phone, any hour of the night.
Also from the blog: Candles, Not Just Trees, the Overlooked Cause of December House Fires, Fire Safety After a House Fire, What to Do in the First 24 Hours and More on fire damage restoration.