Tree Tips from Ted Heap, Harris County Constable Precinct 5
‘Tis the season for decorating your Christmas tree. Constable Ted Heap reminds you to keep safety in mind as you’re enjoying the holidays, especially with live Christmas trees. They can pose a serious fire risk if you don’t take the proper safety precautions.
Here are some basic tree decoration safety tips to make sure your home is safe this Christmas season:
o Do not purchase a tree that is dry or dropping needles. Check for fresh, green needles and a sticky trunk.
o Place your tree in a sturdy tree stand designed not to tip over. Check the tree daily to make sure it has water in its stand. Dry trees are highly flammable.
o Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source such as fireplaces and radiators. One in four tree fires are started when a tree is too close to a heat source.
o Place the tree near an electrical outlet, so that cords are not running long distances.
o Always use lights that are Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approved. Some lights are designed only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both. Larger tree lights should also have some type of reflector rather than a bare bulb.
o Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use tree lights. Do not use strings of lights with worn, frayed or broken cords or loose bulb connections. One in three tree fires are due to electrical failures.
o Test your smoke alarms. Make sure you have a fire extinguisher available and that everyone in the house knows how to use it.
o Connect no more than three strands of push-in bulbs and a maximum of 50 screw-in bulbs.
o Always unplug Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.
o Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards.
o Never use lit candles to decorate a tree, and make sure any lit candles in the room are placed well away from tree branches and flammable items.
o Children are fascinated by Christmas trees. Keep a watchful eye on them when around the tree, and do not let them play with the wiring or lights. Keep all matches and lighters up high and out of reach.
o Safely dispose of the tree when it begins dropping needles. Do not leave dry trees in a house or garage or placed against the house.
Precinct 5 wishes you a happy and safe Christmas! #constabletedheap #yourconstable #christmastree
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