With the Christmas season upon us, residents will be putting up their holiday trees. Reporter Taylor Thacker says County Fire has some Christmas tree safety remindersā¦
With the holiday season upon us, the San Bernardino County Fire Department would like to remind you of the following holiday natural Christmas tree safety tips. If you use a natural tree, make a fresh one-inch cut at the base to open up pores clogged by sap, to allow the tree to drink water. Choose a sturdy stand that holds at least one gallon of water. Rinse the stand with a mixture of one capful of bleach and one cup of water before inserting the tree to reduce the presence of microorganisms. An average natural tree may consume between a quart and a gallon of water per day, so donāt forget to water the tree every day! Miniature lights produce less heat and reduce drying on a natural tree. Always check lights for frayed or cracked wiring and broken sockets before placing on a tree. Turn off tree lights when leaving the house or before going to bed. Place the tree away from heat sources: heating vents, fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, T.V. sets, or sunny windows. After the holidays, remove a natural tree from the house as soon as possible. Never burn any part of a Christmas tree in a wood stove or fireplace; it burns too fast and is explosive! The best alternative is to recycle your tree through your local city or county program.