For those who celebrate Christmas, the holiday would not be the same without a Christmas tree. A tree adds to the beauty and spirit of the season. A real Christmas tree can also add the scent of pine. There is a hazard however, the hazard of fire, especially with real trees. Around 400 residential fires each year involve Christmas trees. Tragically these fires average nearly 40 deaths and over 100 injuries as well. In the hope of preventing these fires, Florida engineering Solutions offers the following safety tips.

To test the freshness of a live Christmas tree before you buy it, tap the tree on the ground. The fresher the tree, the fewer green needles it will lose. A 6 foot Christmas tree will lose about a half gallon of water per day. As a tree dries, the fire risk goes up dramatically. Make sure your tree stays fresh and moist, follow these steps: To help the tree absorb water, cut an inch or two off the bottom of the trunk. Make sure your tree stand holds at least a gallon of water. Add an ounce of bleach to the water in the stand. Be sure to fill the tree stand with water daily.

Look for a label that says “Fire Resistant” when buying an artificial Christmas tree. The presence of this label does not guarantee the tree will not burn, but that the tree will resist burning and be easily extinguished. As for metallic trees, never add electrical lights to them. Faulty lights could case the tree to become charged and become cause an electrocution.

When placing any tree, locate it near an outlet so that extension cords will not run long distances. Do not place the tree where it may block exits. Keep all trees away from flames and heat sources.

The National Fire Prevention Association says more than 15% of all Christmas tree fires are caused by improper or defective lighting. To keep your home and family safe, use lights correctly. Do not use indoor lights outdoors. Before decorating the tree, carefully inspect the wiring of lights and other electrical decorations. Look for cracked sockets, frayed wires, and loose connections. Replace the string if you find problems.

Other Christmas electrical safety tips include: Don’t connect more than 3 strings of Christmas lights together Don’t connect more than 3 strings of lights to one extension cord. Never run extension cords underneath rugs. Always unplug lights to replace bulbs and fuses. Always unplug decorations before leaving home or going to bed. Never using candles on or near any tree, whether artificial or fresh.

To many, the Christmas tree is at the center of the celebration in the home. To ensure a safe holiday season and protect your family, follow a few simple Christmas tree safety rules. Buy the freshest Christmas tree you can. Locate the tree in a safe location and keep it well watered. Decorate it with safe decorations. Finally, dispose of the tree when it starts dropping needles.

The structural engineers at Florida Engineering Solutions have provided the above fire safety tips in the hope of preventing fires. They have the knowledge and experience to quickly evaluate fire damage and provide engineered repair drawings to meet the requirements of local building departments. We can help get your fire restoration project moving quickly.