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Christmas Tree Fire Safety Tips

A Fire Department Public Education Officer Shares Tips to Keep your Home & Family Safe this Holiday Season

According to the National Christmas Tree Foundation, more than 32 million homes in the U.S. decorated their home with a traditional fresh Christmas Tree last year. This tradition often prompts fire safety officials to warn the public that a fresh Christmas Tree can become dry and quickly ignite a home fire. The chances of a Christmas Tree fire are very slim, and there are things you can do to make the chances even more slim.

Following some simple steps will help keep a high moisture content in the branches and needles making it very difficult for the tree to ignite from an ignition source. You should also make sure the tree is cut straight and try to get the tree into a water-holding stand within 3-4 hours of cutting. Also, never let the water drop below the cut surface.

The key message to anyone wishing to display a fresh Christmas tree in their home this year is to keep your tree watered, and it will be very flame resistant.

This video contains footage of a firefighter lighting a Christmas tree with a blow torch, a field of Christmas Trees, interviews, and tips.
This video is available on PATHFIRE DMG main page, VNF A,
Tab “VNR-1” Story Number 27-160. You can search the slug
“Christmas Tree Fire Safety Tips”

For more visit www.RealChristmasTrees.org

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