The Christmas holiday is fast approaching and Christmas trees are being put up and decorated daily in celebration of the holiday. Decorated Christmas trees are beautiful but they can also be very dangerous if not cared for properly. Between 2007 and 2011 U.S. Fire Departments responded to over 230 house fires per year that started with Christmas trees, resulting in costly damages, injuries and even deaths. Please use the safety tips below, provided by the National Fire Protection Association, to help make your Christmas holiday safer.

Picking the tree

- If you have an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled, certified, or identified by the manufacturer as fire retardant.
- Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.

Placing the tree

- Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 1" - 2" from the base of the trunk.
- Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.
- Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.
- Add water to the tree stand. Be sure to add water daily.

Lighting the tree

- Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
- Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Connect no more than three strands of mini
string sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of LED strands to
connect.
- Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
- Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

After Christmas

- Get rid of the tree when it begins dropping needles. Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or
garage, or placed outside against the home. Check with your local community to find a recycling program. Bring outdoor
electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and make them last longer.

**Information provided courtesy of the NFPA

The video below shows the difference between a dry Christmas tree and properly watered Christmas Tree during a fire.