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 reminders…
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 don’t 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.
COUNTY FIRE URGES CHRISTMAS TREE SAFETY
