|
A
fire on any day seems bad, but a fire on Christmas seems to be
the worst. Some 300 Christmas trees caught fire in one recent
year, with electrical problems the most common culprit. Here's
how to keep your tree green and your presents safe.
-
When
you buy your tree, have the vendor make a fresh cut an inch
from the bottom; this will help the tree drink.
-
If
you buy your tree early and keep it outside, store it away
from wind and sun, and keep the bottom in a bucket of water.
-
Make
sure your lights are safe. If you need outdoor lights, make
sure the ones you buy are meant for outdoor use. Make sure
your lights carry certification from a testing laboratory.
-
Don't
use electric lights on a metal tree.
-
Discard
any strings of lights that are frayed or broken. Christmas
lights are cheap.
-
Unplug
your Christmas tree before you leave or go to bed.
-
Don't
buy a tree that is dry and dropping needles. To check for
freshness, loosely grip the end of a branch and pull your
hand over it. Only a few needles should fall off.
-
Make
sure your tree stand holds plenty of water, and don't let it
run out.
-
If
your tree seems wobbly, center it in the stand more securely
and redo the bolts or screws. Of if your tree stand is
cheap, buy a larger, stronger one.
-
If
you buy an artificial tree, make sure it is fire-retardant.
-
Keep
your tree at least three feet from furnaces, radiators and
fireplaces.
-
Try
to position it near an outlet so that cords are not running
long distances. Do not place the tree where it may block
exits.
-
When
Christmas is over or when the tree starts to drop needles,
dispose of it. Don't leave it in your house or put it in
your garage.
-
Keep
a close eye on small children when they are around the tree;
many small decorations and ornaments are sharp, breakable
and can be swallowed.
The
following video clip was produced by the National Institute
of Standards and Technology and was published on the
www.firehouse.com
website. This video demonstrates
how rapidly a Christmas tree and the rest of the room can be consumed by fire.
National
Institute of Standards and Technology
Dry
Scotch Pine Tree Fire
|
