There’s nothing better than a real Christmas tree to show your holiday spirit, but there are some steps you should take to ensure your family is safe from potential fires, said Dustin Blakey, Sebastian County extension agent for the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, between 2002 and 2005, firefighters across the United States responded to an average of 240 fires each year caused by holiday lights. Most, 35 percent, occur in December, while 13 percent occur in January.
“The greatest risk of fire is the use of dry trees,” Blakey said. Keeping the tree hydrated is important, because a small flame can explode into a big fire in a dry scotch pine, he said.
The first, and perhaps most important step, is to start with a fresh tree.
“Generally speaking, locally grown trees will be the freshest,” Blakey said. “Be careful before buying trees shipped from the north and stacked for weeks on the side of a building.”
Color is not a good indicator of freshness, because many trees are dyed, he said, “but a good test you can do is to lift the tree a few inches above the ground and drop its cut end. There should be no needles falling off.”
