How To Safely Put Up a Real, Live Christmas Tree
- December 9, 2008
- 6,867 Views
Writer
Rosemarie_Lennon
Music
Andy Gabrys
Voice Over Artist
Marci Fine
Actor
KristinMularz
Make sure this year’s live holiday tree is not only pretty, but safe, too.
You Will Need
- A fresh tree
- A tree stand
- Water
- A ceiling hook
- A piece of wire
- Tree lights
- Blue masking tape
- LED tree lights
- Heavy-gauge extension cord
Step 1: Choose a fresh tree
Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that don’t easily fall off when you shake the trunk or run your fingers over a branch. The drier the tree, the bigger the fire hazard.
Needles should bend but not break, and the trunk should feel sticky with sap.
Step 2: Cut the bottom
Ask the tree vendor to cut two or three inches off the bottom so your tree will better absorb water from its stand.
Step 3: Choose a safe location
Choose a spot for the tree at least three feet from a radiator, fireplace, heating vent, or other heat source, and don’t block any exits with it. Never light candles near the tree.
Step 4: Get it into water
Put the tree into a tree stand filled with fresh water as soon as you bring it home, and keep it watered. Don’t skimp on the tree stand: Use a sturdy one that will keep your tree straight.
Step 5: Secure to ceiling
With a piece of wire, attach the top of the tree to a hook in the ceiling so it can’t tip over.
Step 6: Use the right lights
Use tree lights made for indoor use. Check for damaged sockets, missing bulbs, and frayed wires before hanging them on the tree.
Consider upgrading to LED lights, available where other tree lights are sold. You’ll spend a bit more, but they’re safer because they don’t generate heat.
Step 7: Use cord caution
Tape down any loose cords so people don’t trip over them. Use blue masking tape to prevent paint damage. Never run cords under rugs (it’s a fire hazard), and don’t attach more than three light strands to an extension cord.
Use heavy-gauge extension cords; they stay cool and don’t fray easily.
Step 8: Protect kids and pets
If you have young children or pets, keep breakable ornaments out of their reach.
Step 9: Get rid of a dry tree
When the tree starts losing needles, take it to a recycling center. Dried-out trees account for hundreds of fires each year during the holidays.
Benjamin Harrison was the first president to display an official White House Christmas tree.
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Video is in 'Tis the Season: Christmas Trees (15 videos)
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Comments (3)
Near the end of the video, where we're told to keep breakable ornaments away from small children and pets, it would also be wise to mention that foil icicles should never be used in a house with cats, nor should tree preservation chemicals be added to the tree's water if cats or small dogs can get to the water reservoir.
over 3 years ago by catdude
Very well done!
The tree stand, in the video, seams hard to adjust... You may want to consider a self-adjusting Christmas tree stand. Those Christmas tree stands are basically ";touchless"; Christmas tree stands and they set up in under 5 seconds!
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