Real Christmas trees fill our homes with beautiful shades of green, the magnificent smell of pine, and a wonderful sight throughout the holiday season. However, putting real and living Christmas trees in our homes also come with a number of threats and hazards.
In fact, did you know that Christmas trees alone result in $13 million in property damage every year?
On Monday, we spoke to Public Information Officer Jose A. Gregorisch, CFPS of the City of Miramar Fire-Rescue Department. Keep these tips in mind in order to keep your family, home, pets, and Christmas presents safe and healthy this holiday season:
- Fresh trees are less likely to catch fire. Invest in a fresh tree with vibrant green needles that are hard to pluck and don’t break easily from its branches
- Position your Christmas tree away from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights, and keep the tree base filled with water to avoid a dry out
- You may want to water your tress two to three times a day
- Before placing your tree in its stand, cut about two inches off of the trunk to open the pores and allow water to get where it needs to be in the tree
- Make sure all Christmas lights have been tested for safety, and throw out any damaged lights
- Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit
- Keep all your holiday candles away from your Christmas tree and surrounding décor
- Bedtime means lights off! Don’t forget to turn your Christmas tree lights off each night
- When your tree starts dropping its needles, it’s time to say goodbye to your evergreen foliage until next year
"There are about 210 home structure fires caused every year by Christmas trees," Officer Gregorisch said. "We want to make sure that if you have a real tree, that is is treated and flame retardant."