It’s hard to believe that it is already the holiday season! Being that this is the first week of December, many families and companies are putting up their trees to add to the festive spirit. Some will choose to put up an artificial one, while others will choose to have a real tree in their home or office. However, there are a few things to be aware of when bringing a real tree into your commercial space or home, such as the threat of a fire. Fires caused by Christmas trees could prove to be devastating for your office or home.
Here are a few ways that your tree could cause a fire in your home or office:
- Choosing a real tree that is already dried out – If you get your tree a bit later in the holiday season, you risk buying one that has already been dried out. This is a very real possibility for those who live in places with very dry falls. When you choose a tree, keep your fire protection in mind and make sure that it does not have brittle needles before you bring it home.
- Placing it close to a source of heat – Although it is not typically a problem for those of us in Florida, it is important to set up your tree away from heat sources. Areas near portable heaters, candles, or even fire places are not good areas to place the tree, as they quickly dry it out and raise the potential for fire.
- Forgetting to water the tree – A real tree could be a real threat and fire risk should it not be regularly watered and become dry. To help your tree stay fresher longer, make sure that it has a fresh cut on the bottom before you take it off of the tree lot. Once it is safely secured in its base, ensure that it is watered daily to keep it looking fresh.
- Keeping the tree for more than four weeks – The standard Christmas tree has a lifespan of about four weeks after it is cut down. Any longer than that, it starts seriously drying out and could compromise you and your employees’ or family’s safety.
Another great way to ensure that your employees or family stay safe this season is to ensure that your fire alarm systems are updated and in working order. For more information on fire protection, contact the safety experts at A Total Solution, Inc. today!