Here are some tips to keeping your Christmas tree safe:

1. Buy a fresh tree. Pull on the needles to see if they are alive and not already dried out.
2. Cut the dryer bottom few inches of the tree off so that the tree will be able to absorb water.
3. Water your tree! Christmas trees need LOTS of water. Remember the air is usually drier this time of year. A tree can drink a quart to a gallon of water a day!
4. Use ONLY approved Christmas tree lights. Follow the manufacturer’s requirements. If using an extension cord, make sure it is rated for what you are using it for. A Christmas fire we attended a few years ago was caused because the homeowner strung too many Christmas tree lights together, they used and extension cord that was not rated for that much electricity AND they put indoor lights outside. Just one of these can cause a fire, all three conditions guaranteed it! Imagine coming home to find not only your Christmas tree and presents burned but everything you own.
5. Keep your tree away from fireplaces or heat sources. Do not use candles on or near your tree.
6. Always turn off the lights when you are not home and turn them off at night when you are asleep.
7. CHECK your SMOKE ALARMS. Do you have fresh batteries? Consider a smoke alarm as a gift if you know someone who does not own one!

After Christmas, remove the tree from the house promptly. Do not burn it in a wood stove or fireplace!

Candles: Many people decorate their homes with candles during the winter holiday season. Consequently, candle fires increase fourfold during this period. Candle fires kill more than 10 people, injure another 175, and cause more than $20 million in property damage each holiday season. For every 1,000 residential structure fires where candles are the form of heat of ignition, 7 people die and 115 people are injured. Candle fires cause an estimated $12,200 in property damage per fire. Statistics show us that over 110 structure fires occur due to candles on Christmas day in our country.

Here are some tips to keeping your home safe when using candles:

1. Do not leave a burning candle unattended.
2. Keep burning candles away flammable objects such as curtains, lampshades, or blankets.
 
3. Make sure candles are not burning when moving them. Keep them out of drafty areas.
4. Keep the candle wick trimmed to ¼ inch to prevent excessive smoking.
5. Make sure the container that the candle is in is not cracked. Burn candles only on a heat resistant surface.
6. Discontinue burning when less than 1/2 inch of wax remains.
 

For additional information, please contact Whatcom County District #14 at (360) 599-2823.

— Firefighter Daniel

Also see previous safety tips: October 2005 | April 2005 | January 2005 | December 2004

Updated: Dec. 11, 2005