Big, beautiful pine trees are often the center of holiday décor as they are both festive and can bring a little life to the home during the coldest winter months. There’s often an argument about whether a real or artificial tree is best. But, if you choose a live tree, there are some best practices for both safety and unique ways to use it!
Holiday Tree Tips!
- Get it home safely! According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, more than 200,000 vehicle crashes involved debris on U.S. roadways between 2011 and 2014, and some of that debris was Christmas trees. When tying a tree to your vehicle, center the tree and aim the trunk end forward. This will help keep the tree stable and protect the limbs from wind damage. Remember to drive slow if you can, since high speed, wind resistance and having a tree tied to your car can be a dangerous combination.
- Display it thoughtfully. Though not common, Christmas tree fires usually cause serious and costly damage if they do occur. Eighteen percent of tree fires are caused by a heat source too close to the tree. Make sure your tree is far from fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or light fixtures.
- Water it! Water not only keeps the tree from dropping its needles all over your floor, it also keeps the tree from drying out and becoming a greater fire hazard. A decent size tree can go through as much as a gallon of water a day, so be sure to check the water level daily.
- Decorate it with care. Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Always read the manufacturer's instructions for the number of light strands to connect and note that some holiday lights are only for indoor or outdoor use. Never use lit candles to decorate the tree, and always turn off tree lights before leaving home or going to bed. LED lights are a great option because they are bright, vibrant and don’t give off any heat! On another note, if you have pets or small children, keep any décor that may pose a choking hazard away from the bottom limbs of the tree.
- Recycle it. As stated above, dried out trees are fire dangers and should not be left in the home beyond the holiday. But, you can still find a good use for them! You can cut the trunk into rings to make coasters, save the boughs for some festive smelling fireplace tinder or even cover the tree in bird-friendly treats and place it outside in your yard!
Now, go deck the halls (safely)! All of us at Hupy and Abraham hope these tips help you and your family have a happy, safe and fun holiday season. But in the event that you or a loved one is injured due to the negligence of another, please contact Hupy and Abraham with your questions. Call 800-800-5678 or start a live chat 24/7 at Hupy.com.
