Christmas Tree Safety Tips

Taking a few simple precautions can help keep your Christmas tree fresh and safe throughout the holiday season.

Bright lights: Never use lights with frayed cords or empty sockets. Mini-lights are safest because they produce less heat. Do not use candles on or near your tree. Unplug all decorative lights before you leave home or go to bed.

Making the cut: As soon as you get home, lop a few inches off the bottom of the tree, or have it done at the lot, then go straight home and put it in water. A fresh cut on the bottom allows the tree to drink water. Trees can drink up to a gallon of water a day, so keep the reservoir full.

Beat the heat: Keep your tree away from heaters, fireplaces, radiators and heating vents so that it won’t become a fire hazard. And keep wrapping paper, ornaments and other decorations away too.

Fire retardants: Treating trees with fire retardants is mandatory for public displays of trees, such as those in schools, offices, stores and other public places. Vendors who fire-proof trees must be licensed by the state fire marshal and the chemicals must also be state-approved.

Cleaning up: Never burn your tree or any part of it in a fireplace. Cut it up and put it in your green barrel for pick-up on trash day or take it to a recycling center. For recycling information, call 1-800-587-3356

Source: Los Angeles Fire Department