The holiday season is in full swing and our public safety officials from the San Bernardino Fire Protection District want you to be safe while decorating your home.
Before you put up any electrically lighted decorations, check the equipment to make sure it will operate safely. Check for burned-out lights, empty sockets, and broken bulbs. Inspect wires carefully for breaks, fraying and damaged connections before plugging anything in and any damaged lights strands should just be tossed.
Mini lights produce less heat and reduce drying on a natural tree – especially LEDs. Avoid overloading circuits and plug no more than three light sets into a single outlet.
Place the tree away from heat sources like heating vents, fireplaces, radiators, or sunny windows. Keep rearranged furniture away from heat sources as well. Be careful not to block a door with the tree or with rearranged furniture.
If you have a natural tree, make a small fresh cut at the base of the tree 1 inch from the base to allow the tree to drink up water, and make sure you keep it topped up daily. Don’t forget to Turn off lights before watering.
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 can be explosive! The best alternative is to recycle your tree through your local city or county program.
