Decorate your Christmas tree wisely to avoid house fires
Posted December 14, 2013 1:05 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Every year we hear tragic stories of house fires started from Christmas trees.
Vancouver Fire Captain Gabe Roder says placement of your Christmas tree is important. He says you should keep it three feet away from heaters and if it’s real, make sure it’s regularly watered. “These trees tend to take in a lot of water and just like any other plant, they do accumulate a certain amount of moisture through that water. Keep them nice and moist and two things will happen, it’ll be a safer tree and it’ll be a greener tree through the Christmas season.”
Roder adds you have to be careful with what kinds of directions you choose. “Putting candles on a Christmas tree is an absolute no-no. Secondly, if you are going to use candles, particularly around wreaths, make sure the wreath is fire retardent and a non-flammable item.”
He recommends you check your lights before you put them up, replacing them if they are worn or frayed as that could lead to an electrical fire.
