Christmas tree safety: The National Fire Protection Association says each year, fire departments respond to 210 structure fires caused by Christmas trees. Careful decorating helps make holidays safer, and watering a real tree is the key to fire prevention.
Tree selection: Make sure artificial trees are labeled, certified or identified by the manufacturer as having been treated with fire retardant. For real trees, pick one with fresh, green needles that don't fall off when touched. Just like "A Christmas Story," tap its trunk on the ground to check needle-fall. If it showers brown needles, it's not your tree.
Water, water: Once home from the tree lot, cut an inch from its trunk base exposing fresh sapwood. Secure the
tree from falling over by screwing "a sturdy, metal tree-stand with trunk screws" to the center of a 4-by-4-foot panel of three-quarter-inch plywood. Put the tree where you want it and place bricks or 2-liter bottles of water on the plywood for stability. Install the tree in the center of the bowl, turning the stand screws into the trunk. Fill the bowl with water and maintain the water level above the cut daily. A 2-liter bottle, half full of water is the best container for adding water without spilling it on the floor.
Placement: Place the tree at least three feet from heat sources: fireplaces, radiators, candles, heating vents and bright lights. Don't put it near exits or escape pathways.
Lights: Use lights labeled by an independent testing laboratory. Some are rated only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both. Replace strings that have worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Combine no more than three strands of mini-light sets per extension cord and a maximum of 50 bulbs for the larger, screw-in variety. Never use real, lit candles. Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.
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