As you prepare to celebrate the upcoming holiday, some families choose to decorate with a Christmas tree. Many people love the look of a decorated tree so much that they put up several around the house. As you're getting ready to decorate your tree, follow these safety tips to keep your home and family safe.
If you love the smell of a live tree and it just isn't Christmas without a real evergreen in your home, then keep these things in mind:
- If choosing a pre-cut tree, make sure needles aren't falling off easily because that means that the tree is already in distress. Cutting one down yourself ensures a fresh tree.
- Never place a tree by a heat source, such as the fireplace, heating vent or space heater.
- Add water to the tree every day to keep it from becoming dried out. A dry tree can ignite very easily.
- Take the tree down and dispose of it after four weeks, or sooner if it starts dropping a lot of needles.
Whether you have a real or artificial tree, there are some additional tips to remember to keep your home safe:
- Inspect all lights for cracked wires or burned out bulbs. Replace as needed.
- Make sure you read the labels to find out whether lights are rated for indoor or outdoor use and act accordingly.
- Don't overload extension cords, and keep cords out of high traffic areas to prevent tripping.
- Turn off lights when you leave the house or go to bed.
- Never decorate a tree with candles or open flames of any sort.
There's nothing like sitting back and enjoying the twinkling lights of a Christmas tree on a cold December night, but every year there are preventable fires and injuries as a result of unsafe practices. Keep these tips in mind when decorating your tree this year.
Enjoy Christmas with peace of mind. Call Cloverleaf Insurance at (636) 928-1373 for more information on Saint Louis home insurance.