Christmas trees are a beloved tradition in most households, celebrated and decorated with joy each year. However, changes in family structure, living arrangements, and other factors can impact the safety of your Christmas tree.
Most people don’t give Christmas tree safety the attention it deserves. Since Christmas trees have been a staple in our homes since we were children, we often view them simply as a decoration and assume we are being safe in their use and decoration.
The statistics may vary, but it’s reported that there are about 300 Christmas tree fires every year. A fire at any time of the year is devastating, but it feels especially tragic when it happens during Christmas. A few simple precautions can help keep your home and family safe this holiday season.
Key Tips for Christmas Tree Safety
One of the main causes of Christmas tree fires is getting a live tree too early and leaving it adorned with lights for too long. As the tree’s needles dry out, the heat from the lights becomes a dangerous combination, especially if the lights are left on for extended periods.
To minimize the drying process, it’s essential to keep your tree well-hydrated. When you purchase your tree, ask for an additional cut about one inch above the original cut to help the tree absorb more moisture. Regularly water the tree to ensure it stays vibrant and fresh.
Before buying your tree, run your hand over the needles to check if the tree is fresh. While a few needles may fall off, if they come off in clumps, the tree is likely too old and dried out.
If you plan to purchase your tree but wait a few days or weeks before setting it up, store it out of direct sunlight with the trunk in a bucket of water to help it stay hydrated and fresh.
When it comes to lights, always use them as intended. Outdoor lights should be used outdoors, and indoor lights should stay inside. Check the packaging to ensure the lights have been safety-tested. Although most lights are safe, a quick check helps confirm that extra care was taken during production. Never use lights on a metal tree, and always ensure artificial trees are fire-retardant.
Naturally, keeping things tidy contributes greatly to safety. Dangling or frayed lights and broken ornaments can create significant hazards. Wobbly or drying trees can also pose safety risks. Little children and untrained puppies are often drawn to Christmas trees and their ornaments. I remember one year when my parents had two young kids and an untrained puppy, they placed the tree in a portable crib to keep everyone safe!
The use of extension cords is often unavoidable during holiday decorating. However, try to minimize their use in high-traffic areas. Tripping over cords can cause the tree or other decorations to fall.
Using real fire, such as candles, on a Christmas tree is not a good idea. Real fire is hazardous, even on non-traditional trees. Fire should be limited to areas where it can be contained, like fireplaces or well-placed candles.
If possible, ensure you can close off the room where the tree is located, especially if supervision is limited. Dogs and children can be trained to stay away from the tree, but curious cats can be much harder to manage. Christmas tree decorations, while beautiful, are often fragile and enticing to pets and children. Even a seemingly secure tree can topple onto an adventurous pet or a curious child. Taking precautions to prevent any accidents is essential, no matter how well-behaved your little ones may be.
In the end, Christmas tree safety comes down to common sense. If something seems like a bad or risky idea, it probably is. Ornaments and lights can pose more danger than most people realize, especially when it comes to animals and children. As adults, it’s our responsibility to find safe and attractive ways to handle these risks.
