As You Deck the Halls this Season be Fire Smart

The holiday season has officially arrived! We want to make sure your time with family, friends and coworkers is not only a joyous occasion but a safe one as well. Following a few simple tips can keep your holidays cheerful and bright. So, as you’re decorating your home and office with garland and lights and trimming your tree with your favorite ornaments, keep our holiday tips in mind!

Selecting and Placing Your Tree

When selecting a live tree, buy the freshest you can find. A fresh tree is green in color and needles are hard to pull back from the branches. The trunk bottom should be sticky to the touch and should not lose many needles when bounced on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree is older and has most likely dried out increasing your home or office’s risk of fire. When preparing your tree for the stand, cut it 2 inches from the base of the trunk to expose fresh wood, which allows for better water absorption.

If you plan to purchase an artificial tree, make sure it bears a “Fire Resistant” or “Fire Retardant” label. While this type of tree can still catch fire, it will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.