Use these tips to help the holidays stay merry, bright and safe.Live Christmas trees
- Select a fresh tree with green, pliable needles that are difficult to pull from branches.
- Cut 2 inches from the base of the trunk before placing the tree in its stand.
- Add water to the tree stand right away and top off daily to keep the tree hydrated.
- Keep the tree at least 3 feet away from heat sources (fireplaces or wood stoves, space heaters, heat vents, candles, lamps, etc.).
- Do not leave a live tree up for longer than two weeks.
- After the holidays, move the tree out of the house as soon as possible, but do not leave old, dried-out trees in garages or near any buildings.
- Securely anchor the Christmas tree to prevent adventurous pets from tipping it over.
- Avoid decorations with live mistletoe and holly. If ingested, they can make pets very sick.
- Keep wires, batteries and glass ornaments out of the reach of pets.
- Use lights approved by an independent testing laboratory such as Underwriters Laboratories.
- Replace light strings that have worn or cracked cords, broken or cracked sockets or loose bulb connections.
- Do not overload electrical outlets, extension cords or power strips.
- Check light strings periodically; the wires should not be warm to the touch.
- Use nonflammable or flame-retardant decorations.
- Keep holiday decorations away from open flames and other heat sources.
- Make sure decorations do not block exits and doorways.
- Consider using battery-operated flameless candles that pose less of a fire hazard.
- Keep lit candles out of the reach of children and pets.
- Candles should be in sturdy, stable holders in places where they cannot be easily knocked down.
- Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn.
- Do not leave lit candles unattended.
- Never leave the house or go to bed with candles burning.
