Most people would say the holidays would not be the same without a Christmas tree. A real tree adds the scent of pine and a great deal of beauty to the holiday. The benefits however, do not come without a hazard. Each year around 400 residential fires occur that involve Christmas trees. Unfortunately these fires cause nearly 40 deaths and hundreds of injuries. The following safety tips are offered by Florida Engineering Solutions in the hope of preventing these fires.
To test the freshness of a live Christmas tree before you buy it, tap the tree on the ground. The fresher the tree, the fewer green needles it will lose. A 6 foot Christmas tree will lose about a half gallon of water per day. As a tree dries, the fire risk goes up dramatically. Make sure your tree stays fresh and moist, follow these steps: To help the tree absorb water, cut an inch or two off the bottom of the trunk. Make sure your tree stand holds at least a gallon of water. Add an ounce of bleach to the water in the stand. Be sure to fill the tree stand with water daily.
When buying an artificial Christmas tree, look for the "Fire Resistant" label. Trees with this label are safer as they will be slow to ignite and should extinguish quickly. Should you have a metallic tree, never use electric lights on it, as faulty lights could cause it to become charged and pose the risk of electrocution.
When placing the tree, consider traffic patterns and the location of electrical outlets. Running extension cords for long distances increases the fire hazard. Always keep all Christmas trees well away from flames and heat sources.
15% of all Christmas tree fires are caused by improper or defective lighting according to the National Fire Prevention Association. Use lights and other electrical connections correctly to keep your family and home safe. A careful inspection of all lights and other decorations is the first step. Check for loose connections, cracked socket and frayed wires. Replace the lights or other decoration if you find problems.
Other common sense electrical tips include: Do not run more than 3 strings of lights together. Do not run more than 3 strings of Christmas lights together on one extension cord. Do not run extension cords under rugs. Be sure to unplug lights to replace bulbs and fuses. Be sure to unplug all decorations before leaving home or going to bed. Never using candles on or near any tree.
For many, the Christmas tree is the center of the Christmas holiday at home. This year keep your home and family safe by following a few simple safety rules. Buy a fresh tree. Place the tree safely. Keep the tree well watered. Use only safe decorations. And remove the tree promptly when it starts losing needles. - 31979
To test the freshness of a live Christmas tree before you buy it, tap the tree on the ground. The fresher the tree, the fewer green needles it will lose. A 6 foot Christmas tree will lose about a half gallon of water per day. As a tree dries, the fire risk goes up dramatically. Make sure your tree stays fresh and moist, follow these steps: To help the tree absorb water, cut an inch or two off the bottom of the trunk. Make sure your tree stand holds at least a gallon of water. Add an ounce of bleach to the water in the stand. Be sure to fill the tree stand with water daily.
When buying an artificial Christmas tree, look for the "Fire Resistant" label. Trees with this label are safer as they will be slow to ignite and should extinguish quickly. Should you have a metallic tree, never use electric lights on it, as faulty lights could cause it to become charged and pose the risk of electrocution.
When placing the tree, consider traffic patterns and the location of electrical outlets. Running extension cords for long distances increases the fire hazard. Always keep all Christmas trees well away from flames and heat sources.
15% of all Christmas tree fires are caused by improper or defective lighting according to the National Fire Prevention Association. Use lights and other electrical connections correctly to keep your family and home safe. A careful inspection of all lights and other decorations is the first step. Check for loose connections, cracked socket and frayed wires. Replace the lights or other decoration if you find problems.
Other common sense electrical tips include: Do not run more than 3 strings of lights together. Do not run more than 3 strings of Christmas lights together on one extension cord. Do not run extension cords under rugs. Be sure to unplug lights to replace bulbs and fuses. Be sure to unplug all decorations before leaving home or going to bed. Never using candles on or near any tree.
For many, the Christmas tree is the center of the Christmas holiday at home. This year keep your home and family safe by following a few simple safety rules. Buy a fresh tree. Place the tree safely. Keep the tree well watered. Use only safe decorations. And remove the tree promptly when it starts losing needles. - 31979
About the Author:
The structural engineers at Florida Engineering Solutions have provided the above fire safety tips in the hope of preventing fires. They have the knowledge and experience to quickly evaluate fire damage and provide engineered repair drawings to meet the requirements of local building departments. We can help get your fire restoration project moving quickly.
