How To Care For Live Christmas Tree, Prevent Deadly House Fire

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Artificial and live Christmas trees, decked out in lights and surrounded by presents, can pose hazards to homes, warn Annapolis fire officials. And the period between Christmas and New Year's is the time when the most candle fires can cause damage and injuries.

"For many, Christmas is the most exciting time of the year," says Annapolis Fire Chief David L. Stokes Sr. in a news release. With Christmas approaching, Stokes has some important Christmas safety recommendations to help you deck the halls in a fun but safe manner.

The hazards of a dry tree kept in a house are remembered by many people in the Tri-State area, after a dried-out

Top Priority

Make sure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms. Check and change your alarm batteries.

Picking the Tree

• 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 2 inches from the base of the trunk.
• Make sure the tree is at least 3 feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.
• Make sure the tree does not block an exit.
• Be sure to add water to the tree stand daily.

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Lighting the Tree

• Use lights that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory. Some lights are only to be used indoors, while others are only to be used outdoors. So choose the right lights for the location.
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords, loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer’s instructions for the maximum number of light strands to connect.
• Never use candles to decorate the tree.
• Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed. This applies to both artificial and live Christmas trees.

After Christmas

Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur, they are usually very serious.
Get rid of your tree after Christmas or when it is dry. 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. Also bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards this will also ensure that they last longer.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, Christmas trees are not as likely to be the first item ignited in a residential fire as other common household items, including newspapers and magazines, boxes or bags and curtains and drapes. But fires involving trees are especially dangerous, authorities say.

• Measure your space. Be sure you know what size (height and width) you need before heading to the lot. Measure the ceiling height in the room where the tree will be displayed. The trees in the field look small, and it is easy to overbuy.
• Ask questions about the trees. Ask the retailer when he/she gets the trees: are they delivered once at the beginning of the season, or several shipments during the season? Often, a tree obtained soon after its arrival on the retail lot will be very fresh because it was recently cut.
• Do a branch/needle test for freshness. Run a branch through your enclosed hand - the needles should not come off easily. Bend the outer branches - they should be pliable. If they are brittle and snap easily, the tree is too dry.
• Look for other indicators of dryness or deterioration. Indicators might include: excessive needle loss, discolored foliage, musty odor, needle pliability, and wrinkled bark. If none of the trees on the lot look fresh, go to another lot.

• Displaying trees in water in a traditional reservoir type stand is the most efficient way of maintaining freshness and minimizing needle loss problems.
• To display the trees indoors, use a stand with an adequate water holding capacity for the tree. As a general rule, stands should provide 1 quart of water per inch of stem diameter. Devices are available that help maintain a constant water level in the stand.
• Use a stand that fits your tree. Avoid whittling the sides of the trunk down to fit a stand. The outer layers of wood are the most efficient in taking up water and should not be removed.
• Make a fresh cut to remove about a half-inch thick disk of wood from the base of the trunk before putting the tree in the stand. Make the cut perpendicular to the stem axis. Drilling a hole in the base of the trunk does not improve water uptake. Once home, place the tree in water as soon as possible. Most species can go 6 to 8 hours after cutting the trunk and still take up water.

Data from the United States Fire Administration

• One of every four home Christmas tree fires is caused by electrical problems.
• On average, one of every 32 reported home Christmas tree fires results in a death compared to an average of one death per 143 total reported home fires.
• A heat source too close to the tree causes one in every four Christmas tree fires.
• The top three days for home candle fires are Christmas, New Year’s Day, and Christmas Eve. Candles start two out of five home decoration structure fires.

The Annapolis Fire Department offers 975 for more information.

Photo by David Allen/Patch