By Jill Sperling

Tips for preventing Christmas tree fires

Dec 12, 2018 | 3:21 PM

KAMLOOPS — There is something about a natural Christmas tree that makes the home feel festive, but for those who choose to put up a real tree comes the responsibility to maintain it for the sake of safety. 

“Fake trees are manufactured to not be flammable,” said Kamloops Fire Rescue’s Life Safety Educator Lyle Weninger, “but real trees when they dry out they can become flammable. If you water your tree it solves the problem.”

Kamloops Fire Rescue says an unwatered tree can go up in flames in less than 30 seconds, whereas a watered tree will simply smolder. 

The placement of the Christmas tree is also important. 

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“You want to keep your tree three feet away from any heat sources so it won’t dry out the branches, dry out the needles and make it more flammable,” Weninger said.

Reducing the risk of a fire starts with selecting the right tree. The needles should be a nice shade of green and shouldn’t fall off the branch easily.

“You want to take your hand and run it along the branches, make sure the needles aren’t coming off in your hand,” Weninger said. “When you get the tree home you want to cut an inch or two off the bottom before you place it in the stand so that it will have a fresh cut that can absorb the water.”

Decorations and lighting can also be hazardous if not maintained or used properly. 

“You want to check your light strands to make sure there are no breaks or frays in the cords and there’s no loose connections because that can start a fire on your tree as well.”

Lights should only be used if they have a label stating they have been tested by a certified laboratory and users should follow manufacturers’ specifications. 

“You want to make sure the lights you’re using indoors are intended to be used indoors and not the outdoor type,” Weninger said. “They’re different. Everything is made for its purpose.”

Fortunately, Christmas tree fires are rare in Kamloops. Kamloops Fire Rescue would like to keep it that way.