It’s that time of year when people put up their Christmas tree to celebrate the holiday season. While this can be a joyous and exciting time, it’s also a good time to think about Christmas tree safety. The last thing you want is your holiday ruined because of a fire. Thus, to make your holiday safe, follow the first safety tips listed below.
Get the Right Tree
Both artificial and real trees come with a risk of catching on fire. Thus, to reduce the chances and focus on Christmas tree safety, you need to get the right tree. For an artificial tree, this means getting one that is labeled as Fire Resistant.
If you are adding a real tree to your home, then you want to get one that is fresh. This means that the needles will be green and hard to pull from the branches. A fresh tree is less likely to catch fire than a dry tree. When you bring it into your home, make sure your tree stand can hold at least 1 gallon of water and check it often to ensure that it is full.
For both tree options, keep them away from heat registers, TVs, space heaters and fireplaces. Despite being fire resistant or fresh, these could still have an impact on the tree and increase the risk of them catching on fire.
Think About the Lights
When it comes to fire safety tips and adding lights to your tree, you only want to use products that have been evaluated by Underwriters’ Laboratories. You’ll also need to inspect each string before you wrap it around the tree. Look for bare or frayed wires, loose connects and damaged sockets. If you notice any of these, throw out the lights and get a new set.
Another precaution to take includes plugging the lights in. You don’t want to put more than three sets of lights onto a single extension cord. In addition, the extension cord should also be in good shape and shouldn’t have any bare or exposed wires. You’ll also want to check the outlet to ensure that it is in good working order.
It’s also a good idea not to place extension cords under rugs. People walking over the top could have an impact on the insulation, making it weaker, or the wires could overheat. You’ll also need to be cautious if you run the cord behind furniture so that it doesn’t get pinched, and you’ll want to keep it away from the water of your live tree.
Use a Timer
It’s a good idea to turn off the lights when you go to bed or if you are leaving your home for an extended period of time. The possibility of them shorting out or overheating and causing a fire is a serious threat. If you aren’t there to take care of the problem, this could burn your entire house down. Should you have problems remembering to do this task, you might consider using a timer. That way, the lights shut off at a decent time and you can rest easy.
Artificial Candles Are a Good Option
When it comes to fire safety tips, some things to avoid this time of year include placing candles on or near your tree. For many, this is a family tradition, but it also increases the risk of starting a fire—even on an artificial tree. Using artificial candles that have LED lights is a great way to create the same atmosphere but keep your family safe.
Getting ready for Christmas can be a momentous occasion. There’s nothing quite like decorating the tree. However, to ensure that you and your family are safe, there are some precautions you need to take to reduce the risk of starting a fire.
