How to Prevent Christmas Tree Fires
The holidays are the time of year to enjoy quality time with your family over delicious meals. It is picturesque to cuddle up with mugs of hot cocoa around your beautifully lit tree next to your warm fireplace. However, if not set up correctly, your Christmas tree can turn into your fireplace! According to the NFPA, there are 160 Christmas trees a year that go up in flames! It is an understatement to say that this is probably not how you want your holiday season to go. To avoid any Christmas tree disasters this season, make sure to follow along as the fire, and smoke remediation specialists at Soil-Away go over necessary preventative measures to take!
Keep Your Tree Hydrated
It is imperative that you are actively keeping your tree hydrated. You must water your tree consistently to ensure it retains its moisture. If your tree becomes dry, the chances of catching fire from lights and decoration increase drastically. The best preventative measure you can take if you are nervous about your tree becoming dry is to keep the tree reservoir filled.
Location
Where you place your tree is an important safety factor. Make sure that your tree is no less than 3 feet from any heat source such as heaters, fireplaces, radiators, etcetera. If you enjoy lighting candles, make sure they are placed far away from your Christmas tree.
Shake Off Dead Needles
Before you place your tree in your home, it is a good idea to give it a good shake before you begin to set it up. This will get rid of any dead needles that could pose a possible fire threat. It is also in your best interest to let the tree sit and soak up water for a few hours to a full day before beginning to decorate.
Light Safety
Lights are a source of electricity that are placed directly onto your tree, so it is dire to ensure that they are safe. Before placing any lights on your tree, go through a thorough inspection to check all wiring and every bulb. If you notice any frayed wires or loose bulbs, it is in your best interest to invest in a new set of lights.
Contact Soil-Away
The fire and smoke remediation specialists at Soil-Away are no strangers to Christmas tree fire nightmares; it happens! If you have experienced fire damage resulting from a Christmas tree or for more information on prevention, contact Soil-Away’s fire and smoke restoration experts today!
