How to Prevent a Christmas Tree Fire from Setting Your Holidays up in Flames-Part I

The holiday season has crept upon us once again, and it’s now that time of year when holiday decorations liter every department store before Halloween, and Christmas cards flood our mailboxes from family members we so gratefully see but once a year. If you’re anything like me, preparing for the holiday season consists of digging out the artificial, pre-lit Christmas tree from the basement cobwebs, with an array of half-broken ornaments that you hope the cat doesn’t think are his again. However, while many people decorate their homes with an artificial Christmas tree for the holiday season, roughly 30 million people will purchase a real one.
If you are one of those millions of people who feel the holiday season just isn’t complete without a real Christmas tree and the memories that go along with it, then it is important to know the safety measures to avoid your Christmas tree causing a fire. Over 35% of Christmas tree fires start in either the living room or family room, and are the cause in over 200 fires per year. Learn the proper safety precautions and measures to avoid setting your holidays up in flames because, if you’re anything like me, burning the holiday ham is more than enough!

Choosing the Right Tree Now Can Prevent Damage in the Future

Have you ever walked onto a Christmas tree farm and stood frozen, and we don’t just from the cold, but because there were so many Christmas trees to choose from? How do you know which tree to pick? Do you pick the tree that is 6 feet tall, dark green and a bit too narrow? Or the one that is 5 feet tall, voluminous, but has a few brown needles scattered throughout? Choosing the ideal Christmas tree can be a difficult and time-consuming task, especially when the memorable family trip turns out to be a repeat of Chevy Chase’s Christmas Vacation. However, to make this joyous time less stressful, your friends at Soil-Away have composed a few tips to consider when picking out your Christmas tree this holiday season, that is less likely to be a fire hazard. When choosing your Christmas tree:

• Choose a tree that is brightly green with firm needles; these needles should not fall off when touched or snap in half.
• Ensure the tree trunk is appropriately straight (some pine trees will have a slight bend in their trunk).
• Make sure the tree does not have a musty odor or discolored needles.
• Determine if the tree has excessive needle loss, as this is a sign of dryness or deterioration.

Visit the National Christmas Tree Association to learn more about how to choose the right Christmas Tree for you.

Avoid Fire Damage During the Holidays

Keep the holiday season less stressful this year by ensuring you choose a healthy Christmas tree that is less likely to cause a fire. Learning the safety measures and precautions now, may save you thousands of dollars in damage and time in the future.
However, in the unfortunate event that your Christmas tree does end up causing damage to your home or business, your friends at Soil-Away are always here to help. Let us take the stress away from you this holiday season, by contacting the restoration experts at 603-641-6555, in the event of unexpected damage. We know the importance of fire damage cleanup, mold remediation and flood services, and want to keep you and your family safe and happy at any time of the year. Whether it is grill fires in Bow or mold remediation in Goffstown, we are here for you!
Stay tuned for Part II of this three-part series on how to keep your holidays safe this year!
Written by: K. Gnatowski