Preventing Christmas Tree FiresBy: Laura Setzke

FACTS AND FIGURESOn average, one in every 9 reported home Christmas tree fire resulted in a death.A real tree can add to the spirit of Christmas by filling your home with beauty and the scent of pine. But a real tree can also pose a fire hazard. Each year, more than 400 residential fires involve Christmas trees and tragically nearly 40 deaths and 100 injuries result from those fires. .

TIPS TO PREVENT FIRES– Only use indoor lights indoors

(and outdoor lights only outdoors). Look for the UL label. Check lights for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Replace or repair any damaged light sets.

– Turn off all lights on trees and decorations when you go to bed or leave the house.

– Select a fresh tree and care for it properly. Make a clean cut across the tree's base and immediately place it in water.

TIPS TO PREVENT FIRES (CON’T)

Keep the tree's water container full at all times, checking the water level daily Be careful with electricity, open flames, and other heat sources. Check all Christmas tree lights, other electric decorations, and appliances for wear, such as frayed cords. Don't use lights, decorations, or appliances with worn electrical cords. Use only UL (Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.) approved electrical decorations and extension cords.

Place the Christmas tree well away from heat registers, space heaters, fireplaces, wood stoves, televisions, computer monitors, and other heat sources. Do not block a room exit with the tree. Unplug tree lights and other decorations when out of the room or sleeping. It's important to remember a real Christmas tree can't start a fire, but it can be ignited by an external source.

BURNS FIRES CAN CAUSE

1ST DEGREE the mildest of the three, are limited to the top layer of skin:

2ND DEGREEare more serious and involve the skin layers beneath the top layer

3RD DEGREEare the most serious type of burn and involve all the layers of the skin and underlying tissue