Christmas tree safety tips from Cal Fire

Officials at Cal Fire warn that Californians should take steps to ensure that holiday decor doesn’t result in increased fire hazards inside the home. In mere seconds, a fire can spark and quickly engulf a Christmas tree.

Christmas tree safety begins when you purchase your tree, say fire officials. When selecting a tree from a sales lot, do the “tap test.” Lift the tree up and tap it on the ground. If any needles fall off, it’s already too dry and you should look for another tree. Cut trees can need as much as a gallon of water a day to help keep them from drying out too fast. Having your tree located too close to heat sources dries the tree quicker, making it a greater fire hazard. Here are some additional fire safety tips from Cal Fire:

Choose a fresh tree with green needles.

Recut the trunk at least two inches above the old cut as soon as you get it home. This allows it to continue to pull moisture into its foliage.

Keep the trunk in water immediately after it is recut. Moisture is the key to keeping the tree fresh and thereby enhancing its fire resistance. If the tree will be kept outside for a few days, stand it in a bucket of water until you are ready to bring it indoors.

Check the water levels daily. Never let the water level go below the bottom of the trunk. Commercial floral preservatives can also be added to the water to help keep the tree fresh.

Locate any tree at least three feet away from sources of heat. Avoid placing any tree, live or artificial, near a heater outlet, wood stove or fireplace. If the tree does dry out and become a hazard, remove it from the home even if it’s not yet Christmas. It’s not worth the risk.

Never place a tree where it blocks exits.

Use only UL approved and properly operating/maintain lights on trees. Don’t overload outlets or light sets by connecting too many together. Use multi plug circuit type plug to prevent heat build-up.

Remove the tree immediately after the holidays. Even a properly cared for live tree will eventually die. Take it to a recycle center or leave for your refuse collector.

For more Christmas tree and holiday decoration fire safety tips visit http://calfire.ca.gov/communications/communications_firesafety_holiday.