The Christmas season is right around the corner. I don’t know about you, but there is just something about seeing decorations that gets me excited for the season. Every year, we go and pick our tree from a Christmas tree farm. It’s a fun tradition that we started when our kids were little and it’s followed us throughout the years. With having five little ones, it’s super important that we teach them tree safety! We don’t want anything bad happening because of a little carelessness, which is why we teach our kids all about Christmas tree safety!
10 Christmas Tree Safety Tips
How does one stay safe with a Christmas tree? Well, you’d be surprised as to how many hazards there are associated with Christmas trees. According to the National Fire Protection Agency “Between 2011-2015, U.S. fire departments responded to an average 200 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year. These fires caused an average of 6 deaths, 16 injuries, and $14.8 million in direct property damage annually.”
Allstate wants to help keep you and your house safe!
Get proper home or renters’ insurance
With the holiday season here, you don’t want to be left in a pickle. This is the perfect time to make sure you have the proper home or renter’s insurance. We do everything we can to keep our homes safe, so why wouldn’t you have home or renter’s insurance, just in case something happens?
Picking the Tree
When it comes to picking out the tree, make sure it’s done right. For example, you want the needles to be green and fresh. You don’t want the needles to be brown and fall off when they are touched.
Putting the Christmas Tree Together
Cut 2 Inches off the Bottom of the Tree
Before you even put the tree in the base, you’ll want to cut around 2 inches off the bottom of the tree. This helps remove anything bad from the tree’s roots and may even help the tree fit in your home better, which removes a major safety hazard. You don’t want the tree to be too big for your home!
Keep the tree away from any heat source
Although it’s tempting to put the tree almost anywhere, it’s best to keep it away from any heat source. Experts say that placing the tree 3 feet in any direction from any heat source is a good idea. Heat sources can include fireplaces, candles, lights, or even vents.
Water the tree daily
Live trees can dry out quickly, which will make them an even bigger fire hazard. Water your tree daily to keep it from drying out. You will want to add the water right into the tree stand. This helps ensure the tree gets watered evenly.
Make sure to use indoor lights
When you are trying to keep your home safe with a Christmas tree, it’s best to follow certain rules. When it comes to using Christmas lights, make sure you use indoor lights on your indoor Christmas tree. Of course, if you’re putting one together outside, you use outdoor lights.
Don’t ever put lit candles on a tree
Some families have a tradition of putting lit candles on a tree. The bad news is that this is a very bad idea. It’s a major fire hazard. Candles and trees don’t go together, so avoid putting any lit candles on the Christmas tree.
When the season is over
When the Christmas season is over and it’s time to get rid of your tree, it’s important to follow proper safety tips for taking down your tree.
Don’t hang onto the tree
Never hang onto a dead Christmas tree, especially in your home. Once the season is over, it’s time to ditch the tree. You’re not being a grinch, you’re just keeping things safe!
Don’t leave it in the garage
Some people take down their tree and then proceed to put it in their garage. This is a huge safety hazard too. Many house fires start in the garage.
The last tip I want to give you when it comes to Christmas tree safety is to make sure you turn off the Christmas lights before you leave or go to bed. Those lights can have a mind of their own and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
This post was written as part of the Allstate Influencer Program and sponsored by Allstate. All opinions are mine. As the nation’s largest publicly held personal lines insurer, Allstate is dedicated not only to protecting what matters most–but to guiding people to live the Good Life, every day.
Awesome tips! We are getting a real tree for the first time ever. I’ve always had someone allergic around during the Christmas Holiday. I’ve heard true stories of how fast a tree can go up in flames, however, the other tips were useful!
Yes there is a video circulating Facebook of a tree bursting into flames. If you are mindful having a live tree is a great experience. Plus you house smells amazing!