Nothing beats the smell of a fresh Christmas tree. But few things are as dangerous as a dried-out tree sitting in your living room. Team Grandy would like to share with you a few pointers on how to minimize the risk:
- Make sure your real tree is fresh. It will be less likely to dry out and become a fire hazard.
- Before you buy from your local Christmas tree vendor, examine the needles. Bend them between your fingers. They shouldn't break. Tap the tree gently on a firm surface. If an excessive amount of needles fall to the ground, it's too dry. Scotch pines tend to shed more needles than other types of Christmas trees.
- Make a fresh cut on the trunk of the tree before you place it in your tree stand. The cut will help the tree absorb water. About two centimetres from the bottom should do.
- Leave the tree outside — out of the wind and sun — until it's ready to decorate.
- Water the tree often. The stand should hold at least four litres of water. Do not let the water level dip below the cut line. If you do, the cut will seal and the tree will stop absorbing water.
- Secure the tree to keep it from tipping. Many of the newer "wide base" stands offer much more stability than older stands.
- Keep tree away from floor heaters, fireplaces and other heat sources, as well as electrical outlets and electrical sources.
- Remove the tree when needles begin to fall off in large quantities. NEVER burn your tree in a fireplace. Most municipalities recycle Christmas trees, turning them into mulch.
Have a safe a Happy Christmas!
