Christmas trees and fire hazards

[zoebartlett]

We had an artificial tree that we weren''t happy with so we took it down and disposed of it yesterday. We went to Target to look at their artifical trees but we ended up not getting one yet. We''d actually prefer to get a real tree but I''m nervous about that because they can be such a fire hazard. The place we''d put the tree is in a corner of our living room, right where our baseboard heaters meet. I know that''s not the best location but as long as we water it in the morning before leaving for work and then water the tree again in the evening, should it be okay? We''d have the tree as far out from the heaters as possible but the space we have for a tree isn''t that big.

This might sound like a stupid question but I can''t be the only one who''s paranoid about potentially starting a fire...right?

 

[Skippy123]

Gosh, I have no clue about that stuff; to be on the safe side I would call your local fire department and ask them (the non emergency phone number). My cousin is a fire fighter and he tells me about all kinds of things that start fires so I bet they can help you.

 

[rainydaze]

good idea skippy - i second calling the fire department.

the tag that came with our (real) tree said that ''a tree that is kept properly watered cannot sustain a fire.'' do not let the water dry out as the tree will form a sap seal which will prevent it from taking in more water. if that occurred, you would have to take it down and saw off about 1/4 to 1/2 inch to allow it to take in water again. so long as there is always water in the pan, your tree is hydrated and (according to this ticket) cannot sustain a fire. that''s if you want to trust a tag on an xmas tree.

 

[crown1]

you already have good advice. i just want to add that if it is going to be a source of anxiety maybe you should find an alternative. good luck!

 

[Pandora II]

My parents have had real trees for as long as I can remember - at least 36 years.

I always thought artificial ones were more of a fire-hazard.

Certainly, my uncle who is a fire-chief always has a real tree.

 

[zoebartlett]

Great advice. Thanks! I think I''ll call the fire department tomorrow and check it out. For anyone who does use an artificial tree, I heard on the news this morning that many artifical trees contain lead. We''ll look into it. I''d prefer a real tree anyway so we''ll make the call in the morning.

 

[sumbride]

I''ve always had artificial trees because of my allergies but nobody usually knows it''s an artificial until they get right up to it, or I tell them. Good ones do cost quite a lot, but averaged over several years, it''s cheaper.

They actually banned real trees from apartment buildings in the county I lived in in VA because they were such fire hazzards. If you''re determined not to let it dry out, and you don''t leave the lights blazing when you''re not home, you''ll probably be ok. If you''re really uncomfortable about it and still don''t want to go artificial, how about a LIVE tree, like a norfolk pine in a container?

 

[meresal]

I have had a real tree my entire life...

You NEVER want to put a tree anywhere near a heater!! The water has very little to do with avoiding fire hazards. You actually only refill the water about once a week or so. If that is the only place you can put the tree, then make sure none of the branches are touching the heater, and especially none of the presents once they start piling under the tree

I love real trees, and in all actuality there not as much trouble as they sound. You just have to be aware.

 

[ChargerGrrl]

Date: 12/9/2007 6:11:17 PM
Author: meresal
I have had a real tree my entire life...

You NEVER want to put a tree anywhere near a heater!! The water has very little to do with avoiding fire hazards. You actually only refill the water about once a week or so.

It REALLY depends on the quality of the tree you get. Our tree last year wasn''t as fresh, and it was incredibly thirsty- we had to water it just about every day. This year''s tree is doing very well. We got it last Tuesday, and have watered it once or twice.

I check ours daily, just in case... I''m in a dry(er) climate, so it can dry out faster.

But yeah, i agree that a live tree isn''t really much trouble!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

Here's recommendations from a website:

"The Christmas tree should be located in a safe place, preferably near a wall or corner where it is not likely to be knocked over. Keeping the tree away from heat sources such as hot air ducts, wood stoves, fireplaces, etc., will help to preserve freshness and lessen fire danger. Similarly, light cords and connections used in decorating the tree should be in good working condition. Lights should always be turned off at bedtime or when leaving for an extended period of time.

Fresh, well-watered Christmas trees do not represent a fire hazard. Trees that are dried out, however, do. In public buildings it is often advisable to spray the trees with a fire retardant. In fact, in many locations this is necessary for insurance purposes. In the home, however, the best fire retardant is to keep the tree supplied with plenty of water."

Here's the website:

http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/forestry/420-641/420-641.html

FWIW, I'm paranoid too and turn the lights off at night. My husband always wants them left on, so I sneek down after he's gone to sleep and turn them off! lol

Oh, and I check the water every morning. My husband cut our tree down from a mountain Christmas tree farm, so our tree is drinking up water like crazy!

 

[zoebartlett]

Thanks MC and everyone else! I never knew that fire retardant spray existed. I really should check it out with our condo assoc. because we live in a garden style condo (neighbors above us). We''ve been talking about placing the tree we eventually get in front of our sliding glass door in our living room. The slider is next to the baseboard heaters but we could position the tree so that it wouldn''t as close to the heaters as it would be if we stuck it in the corner.

thanks again for the suggestions!

 

[MichelleCarmen]

I didn''t know about the spray either, but wonder about if it could be harmful to pets, which would be the only reason probably not to use it. Just something to keep in mind if you have furry babies.

 

[Mara]

we water our tree daily, it drinks a lot for the first week typically and you don''t want to let the water level get too low that the sap seal forms. then you have to recut the bottom or stab holes in it with a knife or something so it will drink. we don''t have baseboard heaters here in CA...it''s forced air and ours are in the ceiling...so we don''t really worry as much about fires, but i don''t leave the real tree on when we go out of the house because i do not know about the lights on the leaves. i do leave the artificial one on because i figure it is safer because it came all wired with lights and stuff. but who really knows. i swear though every time i come home i kind of offer up a happy thanks that the house is still there...hahaa.

 

[firebirdgold]

Mythbusters did an episode on christmas tress. They won''t spontaneously catch on fire from being heated, like with lots of lights. http://mythbustersresults.com/episode68
But if there''s a big spark from a short, or it gets exposed to a flame, it really will go up pretty quickly.
Mainly be careful with your lights. don''t overload your circuit. don''t use old lights or old extenstion cords, and follow the instructions. I wouldn''t put paper next to hot things either, in case they catch fire and spreads to the tree.