Every year, around 150 Christmas tree fires in homes are recorded in the country, leading to serious monetary and even human losses, in addition to causing severe civilian injuries. Therefore, authorities in the city of San José have called for attention to prevent this type of incident.
All trees, real or artificial, pose a fire risk if you are not careful.
To help keep the community safe during the holiday season, the San Jose Fire Department has created an educational video on Christmas tree fire safety and prevention.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBkHe220nuc
They have also issued safety tips for this holiday season.
When selecting an artificial tree, look for the following:
Make sure the tree has a fire-retardant coating. For example, you might see a label that says “Fire Resistant.” While this protection doesn’t mean the tree won’t catch fire, it does indicate that it will withstand fire and should be extinguished quickly.
If you choose a pre-lit tree, check to make sure it has not been previously recalled.
Pre-lit artificial trees may be recalled for safety issues, such as exposed wires, which could cause them to catch fire. Do an online search at least once a year to verify that your tree has not been recalled; new recalls may be issued when new problems are found, even with older products.
When selecting a live tree, look for the following:
Fresh trees are green. Avoid trees with brown or yellowish needles. Look for firm needles. You'll want needles that are hard to pull off the branches and won't break when you bend them with your fingers. When you tap the tree on the ground, you shouldn't lose many needles.
The underside of a fresh tree trunk is sticky with resin.
Beware of trees that have a greenish tint to the trunk and branches. Some growers may spray the trees with green paint to make them look more attractive.
How to put up a Christmas tree
The way you set up and care for your tree will greatly affect how long it lasts, how beautiful it is, and how safe it will be to have it in your home.
Keep the following tips in mind when setting up your Christmas tree:
Cut two inches off the trunk. Before placing the tree in a stand, cut two inches off the trunk at a 45° angle. This will expose fresh wood for better water absorption. Remember that a well-watered tree is less likely to catch fire.
Keep the tree away from any heat sources. Keep a distance of at least three feet between the tree and fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents, wood stoves, lights, etc. More than 20 percent of Christmas tree fires are due to heat sources placed too close to the tree.
Place the tree away from stairs. Fire can spread quickly up stairs and out of control. Place the tree out of the way of traffic. Make sure the tree does not block any exits or doors.
Place water in the tree stand and check the water level daily. Water as needed. Remember that newly cut trees can absorb a lot of water in the first 24 hours.
Make sure the tree is sturdy. If it seems wobbly, center it on the stand more securely and re-attach any bolts or screws. If the stand is too small, buy a larger, sturdier one. You can also use thin guy wires to secure tall trees to walls or ceilings.
How to safely hang lights on a Christmas tree
Nearly one-third of Christmas tree fires in homes are caused by electrical problems. Lights can be a wonderful addition to a Christmas tree, as long as you keep the following safety precautions in mind:
Only use lights approved by a qualified testing laboratory.
Never use lit candles to decorate a tree.
Do not use more than three standard-size light sets per extension cord. Use only one extension cord per outlet.
Turn off your tree lights before leaving home or going to sleep.
Inspect lights before use. Check both new and old lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or peeling wires, and loose connections. Discard damaged sets.
Be careful where you place electrical cords. Don't run electrical cords under carpets; foot traffic can weaken insulation and cords can overheat. Be careful when running cords behind or under furniture; tightly packed cords can fray and cause a short circuit. For more information, visit our Home Electrical Safety webpage.
Use LED lights on your tree. They consume less energy and do not get as hot.
How to safely dispose of a Christmas tree
Once the holiday season is over, dispose of your Christmas tree promptly. The longer it stays on the tree, the greater the risk of fire.
Do not store an old tree in your home or garage.
Discard trees within one month of purchase or when the tree begins to lose needles, whichever comes first.
Please dispose of your tree properly. During the holiday season, natural and textile fiber trees will be collected on the same day as yard waste. For instructions on how to prepare your tree for collection, please visit www.SanJoseRecycles.org.
Never burn Christmas trees in a fireplace or wood stove. Fir and pine trees have a lot of sap, which can explode. The needles also burn quickly and strongly. The flames can flare out of control and cause sparks to fly all over the room. They can also ignite creosote deposits and cause a chimney fire.
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