The Texas Department of Insurance has outlined Christmas tree safety tips to help keep the only lights on your tree this holiday season the ones that bring joy.
Fans of the holiday movie National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation are familiar with the scene in which the character, Uncle Lewis, accidentally sets the Griswold’s massive Christmas tree on fire while lighting his cigar.
As comedic as the scene is to movie watchers, such a scenario can be tragic in real life. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), U.S. firefighters responded to 160 structure fires between 2016 and 2020 originating from Christmas trees, with roughly $12 million in property damage.
Over half of the leading causes of home Christmas tree fires involve electrical distribution or lighting equipment issues (44%) and heating equipment being too close to the tree (13%), per the NFPA.
To ensure you are getting a fresh, live tree, check for green needles firmly attached to the branches. The needles should flex without snapping, and the tree should not shed too many needles when tapped on the ground. Also, the tree’s lower trunk should be coated with sticky resin. It is important also to stay away from artificially painted trees that have been sprayed to make them appear fresh, says the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI).
To ensure your safety while setting up your Christmas tree, it is recommended that you keep it outside in a bucket of water for a few days before bringing it indoors to decorate. This will help keep your tree fresh and reduce the risk of fire. Additionally, cut about two inches from the trunk so fresh wood is exposed, allowing for better water absorption.
Keep the tree stand filled with water as the TDI Christmas Tree Safety Fact Sheet states a “tree absorbs as much as a gallon of water in the first 24 hours and about a quart of water each day thereafter.”
Keep your Christmas tree away from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, portable heaters, electronics, and other electrical equipment. Additionally, inspect your lights carefully for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections.
The TDI recommends not exceeding three standard-size sets of lights per extension cord and using only one extension cord per outlet. To prevent overheating, avoid running electrical cords under rugs or other coverings and refrain from cramming wires behind furniture, which can cause pinching and fraying, resulting in short circuits.
When decorating your indoor Christmas tree with bulbs, it is important to position them so they are not in direct contact with needles or ornaments. This will help limit any damage to your decorations or potential fire hazards. Additionally, ensure that the bulbs you use are specifically designed for indoor use and have been tested for safety.
If you prefer artificial trees, it is important to ensure that you purchase one with a label that states it is “Fire-Retardant.” While this label does not assure that the tree will not catch fire, it does mean that it will be more resistant to burning and can be extinguished promptly if it does catch fire.
Implementing these safety measures can give you peace of mind as you enjoy your Christmas tree and help ensure an enjoyable holiday season. Click here for the complete list of Christmas tree safety tips from the TDI.
Now is also an excellent time to ensure all your smoke detectors are working correctly and to put other measures in place to ensure you and your loved ones remain safe this season.
