November 20, 2007
Take Precautions for a Safe and Merry Christmas
LINCOLN, Neb. — While untangling the decorative lights, dusting off the decorations and putting up the tree, consider safety so that an otherwise memorable Christmas doesn't turn into an experience everyone would rather forget, a Nebraska Forest Service forester said.
Artificial Christmas trees and evergreen trees each require some amount of maintenance before, during and after the holidays to remain safe, said Dennis Adams, a forester at the Nebraska Forest Service at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
When setting up a Christmas tree, find a low traffic area that doesn't block an exit. Never place a tree or other holiday decorations on or around heat sources such as radiators, air vents, fireplaces, wood stoves, space heaters or candles, Adams said.
Live Christmas trees require more care than their artificial counterparts, but many people find them to be worth the extra effort.
Each year about 200,000 evergreen trees are sold in Nebraska, Adams said.
The best way to prevent a live evergreen tree from becoming a potential fire hazard is to be sure it is fresh when you buy it, and then water it daily, he said.
"Cutting your own Christmas tree is the best way to ensure freshness, but if time or distance won't allow this choose the freshest pre-cut tree available," Adams said. "Many pre-cut trees have been painted green so color is not an accurate way to estimate how dry a tree is. Trees that have dried out will lose their needles easily."
Striking the butt of the tree on the ground to see how easily it loses its needles is a good way to check for dryness, he said.
Bending the needles is another method for checking dryness. Search for trees with supple needles that bend easily without breaking.
Before placing the tree in a stand, cut the end of the trunk off straight. This removes the seal, which forms on the butt of the trunk after being harvested. The freshly cut trunk will allow a good flow of water to be taken up the trunk, Adams said.
To keep an evergreen tree looking fresh throughout the holiday season, use a non-tip stand that holds at least a gallon of water.
When celebrating the holidays with an artificial tree, be sure the tree is fire retardant, and remember not to hang electric lights on metallic trees.
"Metal is a conductor of electricity, so this could result in an electric shock," Adams said.
Other tips Adams recommends:
– Decorative lights need to be inspected for worn or frayed insulation, loose bulbs or broken plugs.
– Lighted candles should not be used as tree decorations, and if used in other areas of the decor do not leave them unattended.
– Check that all outdoor lights are approved for outdoor use.
– Decorative lights should only be turned on when adults are present to supervise, and they should be turned off at night before retiring for the evening.
11/20/07-JL Dennis Adams
School of Natural Resource Sciences Rural Forestry Program leader Nebraska Forest Service (402)472-5822
 
Sandi Alswager Karstens IANR News and Photography (402) 472-3030
Department:
Nebraska Forest Service
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