Christmas is made extra special each year with the decoration of a Christmas tree. If you are like many other Americans around the Country, buying a real tree has become a tradition for your family each year. When placing a real Christmas tree in your home, there are some safeguards you should remember to take.
Christmas tree fires can happen quickly. Though the amount of Christmas tree fires may be lower than other fire hazards, they still cause a high amount of property damage and injuries. Tragically, there is a higher death rate with Christmas tree fires than other average home fires.
Dry Christmas trees are the reason for these fires. Most Christmas tree fires in the home happen due to shorts in the lights placed on the tree, or they are placed too closely to an open flame. It may look cute to place a Christmas tree next to the fireplace, but it is not a safe idea.
According to the Building and Fire Research Laboratory of the National Institute of Standards and technology, Christmas trees that haven't been properly watered or taken care of are the biggest risk to Christmas tree fires. They have researched what happens when a fire does reach a dry tree in the home. They even have a video on their website to visually warn tree-owners how quickly a fire can spread.
According to their research it only takes three seconds to set the tree completely on fire. Within 40 seconds the entire room is erupted in deadly flames and harsh toxic smoke. It's no wonder why 1 out of every 9 Christmas tree fires ended with death as compared to the average fire where its 1 death per 75 fires.
On the happier side of things, their statistics show that the amount of Christmas tree fires that do break out are only a very small sliver of the amount of Christmas trees sold throughout the nation. Well-watered Christmas trees are the best prevention against a Christmas tree fire. The building and fire laboratory also has a video to show that a well-hydrated tree has a very hard time catching on fire, even when a match is intentionally lit to it.
The most important aspect to remember is to continue to keep your tree watered well. When you place Christmas lights on your tree make sure you follow to instructions and don't place too many on it. Never use lights that are worn, and never use candles.
Be sure to put the Christmas tree at least three feet away from any other heat source. Keep your tree far away from a place that has an open flame, such as a fireplace, and keep out of direct contact with the sun for a long space of time. Keeping the tree away from heat will help it avoid unnecessary water loss to the tree. - 29955
Christmas tree fires can happen quickly. Though the amount of Christmas tree fires may be lower than other fire hazards, they still cause a high amount of property damage and injuries. Tragically, there is a higher death rate with Christmas tree fires than other average home fires.
Dry Christmas trees are the reason for these fires. Most Christmas tree fires in the home happen due to shorts in the lights placed on the tree, or they are placed too closely to an open flame. It may look cute to place a Christmas tree next to the fireplace, but it is not a safe idea.
According to the Building and Fire Research Laboratory of the National Institute of Standards and technology, Christmas trees that haven't been properly watered or taken care of are the biggest risk to Christmas tree fires. They have researched what happens when a fire does reach a dry tree in the home. They even have a video on their website to visually warn tree-owners how quickly a fire can spread.
According to their research it only takes three seconds to set the tree completely on fire. Within 40 seconds the entire room is erupted in deadly flames and harsh toxic smoke. It's no wonder why 1 out of every 9 Christmas tree fires ended with death as compared to the average fire where its 1 death per 75 fires.
On the happier side of things, their statistics show that the amount of Christmas tree fires that do break out are only a very small sliver of the amount of Christmas trees sold throughout the nation. Well-watered Christmas trees are the best prevention against a Christmas tree fire. The building and fire laboratory also has a video to show that a well-hydrated tree has a very hard time catching on fire, even when a match is intentionally lit to it.
The most important aspect to remember is to continue to keep your tree watered well. When you place Christmas lights on your tree make sure you follow to instructions and don't place too many on it. Never use lights that are worn, and never use candles.
Be sure to put the Christmas tree at least three feet away from any other heat source. Keep your tree far away from a place that has an open flame, such as a fireplace, and keep out of direct contact with the sun for a long space of time. Keeping the tree away from heat will help it avoid unnecessary water loss to the tree. - 29955
About the Author:
For more information about Home Security Systems contact Platinum Protection on their website at PlatinumProtect.com. Platinum Protection is one of the fastest growing Home Security companies. With customer service being a top priority, Platinum Protection offers top of the line Home Security Systems that will fit almost any application. Platinum Protection offers helpful Home Security Information and Tips on the Platinum Protection Blog.
