Christmas Tree Fires: Uncommon but Deadly - By: Mary OHara

LocalNet360- The Christmas Holidays are traditionally celebrated with lights, wreathes, candles, and most importantly Christmas trees. If your household is one of the estimated 35 million other American homes that includes a natural tree in its festivities, safety should be the top of your mind. While reported Christmas tree fires are not frequent, when they do occur they are likely to be a serious.
• On average, one of every 18 reported fires that began with a Christmas tree resulted in death.
• A heat source too close to the Christmas tree starts one of every five (20%) of these fires.

CHRISTMAS TREE FIRES: HOW TO SELECT THE RIGHT TREE

Before purchasing a Christmas tree, test it to see if it is healthy and alive:

• Pull gently on the needles. If they stay in place and don't pull out the tree is still alive and well.
• If the trees are precut feel where the tree was cut. It should feel sticky from the sap in the wood. If it is dry don't buy it.
• The boughs of the tree should be pliable when you move them. If the boughs are stiff the tree is too dry and ready for firewood.
• Before buying a tree pick it up and let it bounce on the ground. If you see pine needles falling off the tree it is dead or dying and not safe to bring home.
• If purchasing an artificial tree, ensure it is fire retardant.

MAKE THIS HOLIDAY A SAFE HOLIDAY SEASON: PREVENTION TIPS FOR CHRISTMAS TREE FIRES

Some general rules to follow for your families’ safety:

• Once home, make a fresh cut across the trees base and immediately place it in water.
• Keep the trees water container full at all times, checking the water level daily.
• Regularly check the tree for dryness. If the needles fall off
when you touch them or the stems break off when you bend them, your tree may be dry. Check the water level. If it is low, add water. If not, its time to take down the tree.
• Check all Christmas tree lights, electrical decorations, and electrical wires for frayed or worn electrical cords. Use only UL- approved decorations and extension cords. Replace them.
• Use safe lights designated for indoor use only.
• Place the Christmas tree far away from heat registers, space heaters, fireplaces and wood stoves.
• Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source.
• Place the tree near an outlet to avoid running long extension cords. Don’t overload electrical outlets or run extension cords, under carpets, across doorways, or near heaters.
• Keep a watchful eye on your children and pets. Do not let them play with lights or wiring.
• Keep pets away from light strings and electrical decorations>

In summary, these are simple tips to follow but, above all others, is buy the freshest Christmas tree and keep it well watered on a daily basis. This will go a long way in keeping your home safe.

As you begin to learn about the dangers and prevention pertaining to Fire, Water and Mold damage in your home or business, you will better understand what steps to take to protect your family, employees, pets, personal belongings, business records, equipment, building structure, landscaping and surrounding areas. More importantly, in addition to knowing what steps you can take to aide in prevention, many of these same techniques will help you to mitigate risks in case of an emergency related to fire, water or mold damages should they happen to you. As stated earlier in this series, the more you know about the dangers of Fire, Water and Mold, the better prepared you will be when disaster strikes and in addition to mitigating risks, you may one day help save the life of someone you love as well as yourself, because disaster can strike anyone, anywhere at any time and it is up to you to gain the knowledge to protect your family, home and business and know when to call the professionals who can only respond after the emergency strikes.

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About the Author

Mary O’Hara holds a Masters of Public Health and has numerous certifications in mold remediation, fire restoration, lead remediation, and fire damage restoration. For more information on Fire Damage and/or remediation Services please visit or call: http://www.tampafirerestoration.com email: info@tampafirerestoration.com Call: (855) FIRE-DAMAGE (347-3326)

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