Preventing Christmas Tree Fires

Preventing Christmas Tree Fires

The Christmas Season is traditionally associated with a lot of bright decorations around many Nashville Homes.  Lights, candles, wreaths and Christmas tree lights brighten homes. When natural trees and wreaths dry out, they can  can pose a serious fire hazard. According to the National Fire Protection Association, Christmas trees both real and artificial, were the first items ignited in an estimated 300 reported home fires per year since 2000.

It's amazing how quickly a dry tree can go up in flames. According to the National Fire Protection Association, on average one person will die in every nine house fires that start with Christmas trees.

Here's some safety tips for Nashville homeowners:

• Always unplug Christmas tree lights before leaving or going to bed
• Do not use any string of lights with worn, frayed, or broken cords.
• When decorating, be sure to check and use lights that are rated for "indoor" use.
• Never use lit candles to decorate a tree and make sure all lit candles are placed well away from branches.
• Keep live trees as moist as possible. Live trees can consume as much as a quart of water a day for each inch in diameter which means a tree may need as much as a half gallon  a day.
• Never keep a live tree for more than 4 weeks.
• If you use a artificial tree, make sure it's labeled flame retardant.
• Make sure your tree is  at least three feet away for heat sources

We at Royce Williams Agency/Insuring Nashville wish you a Merry Christmas!