Its December! And that means you may be looking soon for a Christmas tree for your home. When picking out a tree, please remember these important safety tips from the NFPA: Get a freshly cut tree. It will stay green longer and be less of a fire hazard. Try to pick a tree with a strong green colour and noticeable fragrance. Always test for freshness before buying. A tree with high moisture content is safer. Very few needles should fall when the butt of the tree is tapped on the ground; needles should bend, not break; and the stump should be sticky with resin. Place the tree in a stand that will hold 2 to 3 litres of water and top it up daily. Make sure it is always immersed in water: If water drops below the trunk, the stem may reseal itself, requiring a fresh cut. Use a tree stand that has widespread legs for better balance. Do not set your tree up near a heat source such as a radiator, television, fireplace, heating duct or sunny window. It should not block doors or windows. Never use lighted candles on the tree. Remove the tree within 10 to 14 days. After that amount of time in a heated building, even the freshest tree can start to dry out. If you have an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled, certified, or identified by the manufacturer as fire retardant.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Dec 2014 15:37:53 +0000