Tips To Prevent Your Christmas Tree From Catching Fire

Tips to Prevent Your Christmas Tree from Catching Fire

The holidays are such a magical time. The music, the food, the gatherings with loved ones, and of course, the wonderful decorations adorning homes this time of year makes this time of season something right out of our favorite storybook.

Some families value the tradition of having a live tree for Christmas as well. There is just something wonderful about going out as a family and cutting down your own tree or picking the best one among all the options from a tree farm.

There is a lot involved though with having a live Christmas tree, and one of the most important things to consider is ensuring your tree doesn’t cause a fire during the most celebratory time of the year. Christmas tree fires burn quickly and destroy more than just the tree. In fact, Christmas tree fires result in a whopping $10 million in direct property damage annually according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Preventing Your Christmas Tree from Catching Fire

• Buy the Tree Close to Christmas. Trees only last about five weeks if they are healthy, so buying the tree as close as possible to Christmas is best. If you notice excessive needles falling is your indicator the tree needs to be removed from your home.
• Water the Tree. When you bring in a real evergreen tree into your home, you have to ensure it stays as hydrated as possible to reduce the possibility of it catching fire. Fill your tree stand with warm water when you first bring it home. The tree will naturally absorb the water quickly after the drive home, and with daily watering, will stay hydrated and have less needle loss.
• Choose a Safe Location. Pick a spot in your home for the tree to be that is away from heating vents, fireplaces, or candles. Any source that not only provides heat to dry out the tree, but also heat sources that entail fire like fireplaces and candles, are a definite thing you want to avoid.
• Inspect the Lights. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), “nearly one in five Christmas tree fires start due to decorative lights.” Check your string lights for frayed wires or other signs of damage. Replace any missing or burned out bulbs.
• Turn the Lights Off. Make sure to always turn off the lights of the tree when you are not home or you go to bed. An unattended tree with lights on is a fire hazard you want to avoid.

Need Some Help on What Tree is Best for a Live Christmas Tree?

There are many trees to choose from when it comes to picking the best tree to bring in for the holidays. Some of the top types are commonly sold by sellers because they are also

Douglas Fir: Douglas firs are a great choice for the holidays. The needles are soft and they have a high needle retention compared to other trees.

Fraser Fir: Fraser fir are some of the most popular trees in recent years. They are known for their ease in handling and good needle retention.

Colorado Blue Spruce: These cone-shaped beauties have sturdy branches and sharp needles, and their bluish-gray color is one of the favorite characteristics people like with this tree.

White Pine: The White pine has soft, flexible needles, so it is not the best tree for heavy ornaments.

Norway Spruce: This northern European tree has shiny, dark-green needles and dense branches. The Norway spruce loses its needles quickly, so if you choose this tree, ensure you buy it as close to Christmas as possible and don’t keep this one in the home after the holidays.

Concolor Fir: The scent of the Concolor fir is a favorite for live Christmas trees. It has a citrus scent, a naturally good shape, and good needle retention.

Healthy Tree, Happy Holidays

Whatever tree you decide to bring home, make certain it is healthy. If you are noticing heavy needle loss or it is noticeably light in weight, it could indicate the tree is not healthy and not a good tree to bring into your home for the holidays.

Pot a Live Tree

Alternatively, you can pot a live tree for your Christmas tree. Compared to a fresh-cut tree, living trees can be potted or wrap the root ball in a burlap sack. You care for it as a live plant, and instead of throwing it out after Christmas, you can plant it outside or keep it in a pot and use it again the following year.

Christmas Tree Safety Checklist

If you do decide to bring a fresh-cut live tree into your home this Christmas, be sure to check out the NFPA’s Christmas Tree Safety Checklist for more tips on keeping safe from fire hazards this holiday season.

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