Dec. 18, 2009

Thirty seconds is all it takes for a dry Christmas tree to be consumed by fire. Each year, Christmas trees cause over 200 fires nationally, resulting in death, injuries and millions of dollars in property damage. 

The Phoenix Fire Department has these tips to help everyone avoid a tragedy this holiday season:

• Use tree-safe lights designed for indoor use. Never use electric lights on a metal tree.
• Follow manufacturer’s instructions on how to use tree lights.
• Always unplug the lights before leaving home or going to sleep.
• Never use candles to decorate a tree.
• If you have a live tree, keep it as moist as possible by giving it plenty of water. Do not purchase a tree that is dry or dropping needles.
• Choose a sturdy tree stand designed not to tip over.
• When purchasing an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled as fire-retardant.
• Children are fascinated with Christmas trees. Keep an eye on them when around the tree, and do not let them play with the wiring or lights.
• Carefully plan where your tree will be positioned. Make sure it is at least 3 feet away from any source of heat. Try to position it near an outlet so that cords are not running long distances. And never place it in front of or near an exit.
• Safely dispose of the tree when it begins dropping needles. Do not leave the tree in a garage or placed against the house.

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