Tree safety tips from Suffolk County FRES

There will be over 21 million real trees sold for home use this year.  There were over 800 fires caused by holiday decorations between 2018 and 2020 with:

• 38 percent electrical
• 35 percent wiring (including cords, plugs, bad lights or circuit overload)
• 20 percent heating sources
• 7 percent candles
• December has become the No. 1 month for home fires due to Christmas trees and holiday decorations.
• Christmas tree fires can spread rapidly and can be engulfed in just 10 seconds.
• An entire room can be engulfed/flash over in just 1 minute.
• If you’re buying a tree, choose a healthy tree with needles that do not fall off when touched.
• Keep the tree well-watered. Check the water levels in the stand every day!
• Make sure the tree is 3 feet away from any heat source and does not block any exits or doorways.
• Turn off lights on the tree before leaving home or going to bed.
• And most importantly! Check your smoke detectors to make sure they’re working properly.

As a reminder, if you are buying a live tree:

• Buy your tree from a reputable tree seller
• Many local nurseries are knowledgeable and will help you pick a good, healthy tree
• It is very important to care for your tree and keep is watered
• Before putting up your lights and holiday décor, inspect them for frayed wires, cracked sockets, or loose connections. 
• Be sure not to overload outlets; stick to one high-wattage appliance per socket to avoid overheating.
• Keep cords out of harm’s way—do not pinch them in windows or run them under carpets or heavy furniture.  Be sure to position cords safely to avoid tripping hazards.

Let’s talk about protecting our furry little friends.

• Keep cords out of reach of to prevent chewing hazards.
• Be sure to secure your Christmas tree to prevent it from tipping over.
• Keep holiday plants such as poinsettias, holly and mistletoe out of reach, they can be toxic to your pets.

Suffolk County is home to 109 volunteer fire departments—and they will be on call to respond in an emergency.

Please use caution and use common sense so we can all celebrate a safe and happy holiday.