With the holidays in full swing, it is important to keep your live / real Christmas tree safe for your family and your home. Here are 9 tips for keeping your live Christmas tree safe during the holidays.
Choose the Right Tree
When selecting the right Christmas tree, there are a few things to consider to ensure a safe holiday season.
- Look for a tree with fresh, green needles that don’t fall off when touched.
- Avoid dry, brown trees as they are more likely to catch fire quickly.
Water Your Tree Properly
The National Fire Protection Association recommends that real Christmas trees be kept hydrated throughout the holiday season.
To keep your tree watered, be sure to fill up the tree stand with fresh water every day. You should keep the base at least 2″ deep with water at all times. This will help reduce the risk of a dry tree catching fire.
If you purchase a living tree, be sure to keep it in a well-lit spot, away from any sources of heat or open flames, such as fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.
Properly hydrated trees are less likely to catch fire, so you can have peace of mind while celebrating the holidays. Your tree will always need more water than you realize, and even well hydrated can still be a fire hazard.
Remove Leaves from the Base of the Tree
When setting up your real Christmas tree for the holidays, one important safety precaution is to remove any leaves from the bottom of the tree before securing it in the stand.
Leaves can make it difficult for the tree to absorb water, resulting in a dry tree that could be a potential fire hazard. Additionally, removing leaves can make the tree more aesthetically pleasing and help it to fit better into your holiday display.
Be sure to take the time to carefully inspect and remove any leaves from the base of your tree before setting it up.
Trim the Base of the Tree
When buying a real Christmas tree, make sure to trim at least two inches off the base of the tree. This will open up the pores of the tree and help its water intake, which is essential for keeping it hydrated and safe from fire hazards.
Be sure to check the tree daily for dryness, and keep it well watered so that it stays green and healthy throughout the holiday season.
Keep The Room Temperature Between 65 and 72 Degrees Fahrenheit
When setting up a real Christmas tree, it is important to keep the room temperature between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because trees dry out more quickly in higher temperatures, which can lead to fires due to dry needles and branches.
Additionally, keeping the temperature lower will help ensure that the tree lasts throughout the holiday season.
Make Sure There are Enough Stakes for the Tree Stand
When setting up a real Christmas tree, it is important to make sure there are enough stakes to secure the tree.
Stakes should be placed around the bottom of the tree in order to provide stability and reduce the risk of toppling. Additionally, if the tree is not adequately secured, it could become a major safety hazard.
If you have pets and/or small children, be sure to secure your tree in a stable stand to prevent it from tipping over.
If the tree is too tall for stakes, then an extra layer of support should be added by tying a rope around the trunk and to a nearby wall or piece of furniture.
Taking the necessary steps to properly secure a real Christmas tree can help ensure that families have a safe and enjoyable holiday season.
Use a Proper Nutcracker When Removing Cones From the Tree
When it comes to selecting the perfect real Christmas tree, safety should be a priority. To ensure that your tree remains healthy and intact throughout the holiday season, it is important to use a proper nutcracker when removing cones from the tree. This will help to avoid any potential damage to the branches and needles, preserving the integrity of your tree.
A nutcracker with a wide jaw and long handle can make it easier to remove cones without causing any harm. Be sure to keep an eye on the cones that are removed and dispose of them in a safe manner.
Avoid Using Chemicals That Can Harm Trees During the Holidays
While there are many products available that promise to make your tree look beautiful, some of these chemicals can be harmful to the tree.
Avoid using products that contain pesticides, fungicides, and other chemicals that can damage the tree’s needles or cause it to dry out more quickly, since as you already know, a dry tree is a potential hazard.
Be Careful When Hanging Lights on Your Live Christmas Tree
As you get ready to decorate your real Christmas tree this holiday season, it is important to remember to be careful when hanging lights on it.
Electrical decorations should be UL listed and all connections should be checked for frayed, cracked or exposed wires.
Lights should also be kept away from any water sources, as wet lights could cause an electrical shock, fire or other serious injury. Furthermore, all lights should be turned off before leaving your home or going to bed for the night.
Some types of Christmas tree lights can potentially be safer than others. For example, LED lights tend to be much cooler to the touch than incandescent strings of lights. Obviously, hotter lights against potentially dry branches and needles is a recipe for disaster.
If you are unsure about the type of light that is appropriate for your tree, be sure to ask a professional before hanging them.
Taking the necessary precautions when hanging lights on your live Christmas tree can help ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday season.
These are not the only safety precautions you need to consider. Keeping your live Christmas tree safe can be a challenge, but with these tips you will be off to a good start, and hopefully have one less thing to worry about during the holidays.
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