It’s that time of year again! We are putting the Christmas tree up and making it look beautiful with lights and ornaments. These beautiful trees can cause major damage; Christmas trees are one of the leading causes of home fires during the season.
How to prevent:
- Keep your tree a safe distance away from any heat source, such as radiators, fireplaces, lights or candles.
- Only use lights that are rated for indoor use. Also, check for the label of an independent testing laboratory, such as Underwriters’ Laboratory (UL).
- Before using lights, ensure there are no frayed wires, broken bulbs and cords, cracked sockets or loose bulb connections.
- Avoid overloading the power outlet and do not add multiple power strips.
- Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.
- Choose flame-resistant decorations, place more breakable decorations to the top where children and pets can’t reach them.
Fake vs. Real:
- Fake: Most artificial trees are designed for be fire-retardant.
- Fake: They may be vulnerable to fires caused by candles and electrical malfunctions.
- Real: You have to water them daily to increase their resistance to fire.
- Real: They are typically more prone to fires, especially if you don’t keep them hydrated.
- Real: Get rid of the tree when it begins dropping needles. Dried-out trees are a fire hazard and should not be kept in the home or garage. Check with your local community to find a recycling program.
Stay safe and have a very Merry Christmas!
Contact your local PuroClean office at 937-401-9700 or 513-897-8990 for any fire damage clean up. PuroClean professionals can assist with any house fire, big or small. We always promote fire safety, check our Facebook page for more tips.
