For a majority of my life I have had a fake Christmas tree at Christmas time.  For the most part, the hazards were minimal.  In fact, the tree was rated as fire-retardant.  Through a few pets, including a parakeet who used the lights as a perch to a rat who chewed through the lights one year, we have never experienced a tree fire.  Thankfully.  But, that’s probably due to the fact that we had no watering to maintain.

In 2000, I had my first real tree and I learned how important it was to water the tree regularly.

• Make sure you water your tree regularly.  In Arizona, which is a very dry state, it’s critical to keep it flowing.
• If the tree isn’t cut properly at the bottom of the trunk, there won’t be enough absorption.  Make sure you slice an inch or so off the bottom.
• Check the tree daily to make sure the needles are healthy and moist.  When they start to fall off, you know that your tree may be dying from lack of water.
• Make sure your lights are in good condition.  Keep anything that could spark a fire away from the tree.
• When you take the tree down, make sure you dispose of it as soon as possible so it doesn’t hang around drying out becoming a hazard.

The speed at which a dry tree ignites will baffle you.  Take a look at the video in the player to the right.

Proper safety will ensure you have many more years of Holiday cheer.  Happy Holidays.