How to Prevent Christmas Tree Fires in your Riverside Home

12/23/2019 (Permalink)

Christmas Trees can start a huge fire that can completely damage your Riverside home. Check out our safety guidelines.

When showcasing a live tree in your home, the combination of tree dryness, electrical malfunction with lights and poorly located heating sources can make for a deadly combination.

Christmas trees account for hundreds of fires each year. Typically, shorts in electrical lights or open flames from candles, lighters or matches start tree fires.

Here are some tips from National Fire Protection Association

Picking the tree

• Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.

Placing the tree

• Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 2” from the base of the trunk.
• Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.
• Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.
• Add water to the tree stand. Be sure to add water daily.

Lighting the tree

• Use lights that have the label of a recognized testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use.
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect.
• Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
• Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

Facts

• More than one of every four home Christmas tree fires is caused by electrical problems.
• Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur, they are more likely to be serious.
• A heat source too close to the tree causes one in every four of the fires.

 Pets

When you have the joy of pets, there are precautions that need to be taken to keep them safe.  Make sure the tree can not be toppled over by the mischief pet pawing at the delicate ornaments that look ever so tasteful.  Loop twine or fishing line around the trunk and tie to a screw in the wall.  If there are cords on the floor they can be duct taped down to keep your pets from chewing on them.  Keep the needles cleaned up off the floor to keep your pets from licking them and possibly ingesting insecticides or flame retardants. 

After Christmas

Get rid of the tree after Christmas or when it is dry. Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage, or placed outside against the home.

• Check with your local community to find a recycling program.
• Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and make them last longer.

SERVPRO of West Riverside team wants to ensure that everyone has a safety in mind. In the unlikely event that a fire were to occur, know that the SERVPRO team in Riverside is ready to assist 24/7 by calling 951-351-8033.