Farm & Home
Ag Line: Christmas Tree Safety
By Wade Parker County Extension Coordinator

Well, Thanksgiving is over and I have gained five more pounds from all of the food I ate over the holiday!

It seems as though the holidays come around a lot quicker than they used to. Lorene, our secretary, says "the older you get, the faster the years fly by." After thinking about her statement, I think she is right!

With the passing of Thanksgiving, the holiday season is here. This season is a joyful time of generosity and warmth, songs, family, and traditions. Unfortunately, it is also a time when we see increases in house fires. If you decide to have a real tree adorning your living room during the 12 (or 30) days of Christmas, here are some important things to remember about choosing and caring for a freshcut Christmas tree.

• Select a fresh Christmas tree that is kept in water at all times. Needles on fresh trees should be green and should not fall off easily. Don't put your tree up too early or leave it up longer than two weeks. Dried out Christmas trees can ignite easily and boost a fire by spreading it rapidly to nearby combustible materials.

• Place your Christmas tree in a safe place away from heat sources, such as a fireplace or heat vent.

• Maintain your holiday lights. Inspect your lights before you use them to ensure they don't have frayed wires, gaps in the insulation, broken or cracked sockets or excessive wear. Only use lighting that is listed by an approved testing laboratory and don't leave the lights on when you're not home.

• Avoid overloading electrical outlets. Don't link more than three light strands unless the directions indicate it is safe. Periodically check the wires. They should not be warm to the touch.

• Use only nonflammable decorations that are placed away from heat vents and if you're using an artificial tree, make sure it's flame retardant.

• Avoid using candles. If you do use candles, ensure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be easily knocked down.

• Do not leave lit candles unattended, never put candles on a Christmas tree, and never leave the house with candles burning. Place menorahs away from vents or flammable materials.

I hope you have fun selecting and decorating your Christmas tree this season, and just remember to keep it safe!

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