With all the recent reminders about fire safety filling the news—particularly in California—it’s worth remembering a fire risk that hits a lot closer to home for millions of people this time of year: the Christmas trees adorning living rooms around the country. To keep your home and family safe this holiday season, associations are offering up a few tips:
Pick a fresh tree. According to the American Christmas Tree Association (ACTA), trees that are vibrantly green are the way to go, as they’re less likely to catch fire. “The tree shouldn’t be shedding its needles readily,” says ACTA.
Artificial doesn’t mean you’re safe. Artificial trees come with their own problems, especially if they’re designed with built-in lighting—which is why Underwriters Laboratory (UL) has certifications for prelit trees over 30 inches tall. ACTA emphasizes that with any kind of Christmas lighting—indoor or outdoor—you should ensure that the lights are certified by a testing lab like UL.
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