CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – Bringing a Christmas tree into your home may be a fun holiday tradition, but can be dangerous if correct precautions aren’t taken.
At Paul Bunyan’s Farm and Nursery in Chicopee, everyone who buys a tree goes home with a list of safety tips. A very important tip, they say, is to make sure the tree is watered often.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, Christmas tree fires have become more rare in recent years. The most common cases of Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems and by putting a tree to close to a heat source.
State Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey is offering holiday decorating tips this year as well:
- Choose from freshest trees possible: Needles shouldn’t fall off or break easily.
- Take care of your tree: Consider cutting off an inch or two off the bottom before placing it in the stand, water a live tree everyday.
- Choose best location: Use wide-legged stands to avoid tipping, keep far away from heaters, fireplaces, and candles.
- Decorate wisely: Consider LED lights, but inspect old lights for frayed wires.
The state fire marshal’s office is also reminding people to turn off their Christmas tree lights before bed and before leaving the house.
The National Fire Protection Association put together a side-by-side video of a dry Christmas tree and a well-watered Christmas tree on fire to show how quickly a neglected tree can go up in flames.
