What comes to mind when you think about the month of December? Perhaps you’re flooded with images of Santa Claus, presents, and a yard full of snow. One other thing that should come to mind is the iconic Christmas tree that is put up in homes everywhere during the holiday season.
Do the thoughts of houses damaged and destroyed by fires come to mind also when you think of December? It might sound a bit dismal, but perhaps you should be thinking of that as well!
After all, according to the United States Fire Administration, this is the time of the year in which house fires are at their highest. But don’t worry! There are things you can do to help avoid having a house fire this holiday season and throughout the remainder of the winter. Just in time for the holidays, we at Mt. Everest present you our 8 favorite Christmas tree tips to help keep you and your loved ones safe this holiday season!
Choose LED Lights – When you go out to buy lights for your Christmas tree, choose LED lights. They’re brighter, not very expensive, and will last you a long time compared to the other types of lights. Besides, they’re environmentally friendly, so you’ll be doing the planet a favor!
Read The Labels – Looking for a fake Christmas tree to display in your home? Keep a look out for the label “fire retardant” or “fire resistant.” This doesn’t guarantee that the tree will never catch fire, but it does mean that the tree is more difficult to catch fire and that it should extinguish quickly!
Limit Extension Cords – If you employ a large amount of extension cords, you can make your home hazardous and prone to circuit overloads and power failures. A good rule of thumb to follow is to use no more than 3 standard-sized sets of lights per single extension cord!
Check Your Lights – Before putting your lights on the tree, go through and check each set of lights, both new and old. Make sure to check for the following; loose connections, frayed or bare wires, and broken or cracked sockets. If you encounter any damaged sets, throw them out! It’s better to spend a few more bucks to purchase new lights than to repair a home damaged by fire!
Keep Your Tree Away From Heat – When putting up your Christmas tree, whether real or fake, be sure that you set it up away from sources of heat like fireplaces and radiators. If you have a live tree, remember that heated rooms will dry them out quickly, so be sure to keep the stand filled with water at all times!
Say No to Lit Candles – Lit candles in a tree may look elegant and beautiful, but it is NEVER a good idea to decorate your tree with lit candles! Additionally, keep lit candles a good distance away from your tree. You wouldn’t want your tree to accidentally catch fire!
Turn off Christmas Tree Lights When You’re Gone or Asleep – This is probably the biggest tip we can offer. Every time you leave your home and whenever you go to bed at night, please be sure to turn off your tree’s lights! They may look beautiful in the window at night, but they could easily cause a fire if there’s faulty wiring or a heat source involved.
Pack Your Lights Up Properly – Once the holiday season is over, be sure to take down your Christmas lights carefully and pack them away correctly for next year. By doing so, you will help prevent future problems from cropping up in your lights such as broken bulbs or damaged wiring.
Still not a believer? Then you need to check out this video!
Be sure to stay safe this holiday season with our 8 Christmas tree safety tips! If you need any help with your furnace or any other tips when it comes to keeping your home safe, warm, and efficient, just give us a call at (877) 552-2326 or visit us at www.mteverestair.com! Have a great holiday season and a fantastic 2013!