by Glander 14 Replies latest jw friends
Just for the record, the fire that killed the kids and grandparents of that family in Connecticut was started by fireplace ashes dumped out while still glowing and unbelievably left by the door.
I am sure almost everybody wondered if it could have been the Christmas Tree.
Remember, if you trim the tree with electric lights it is like wrapping the thing in a few dozen little electric heaters.
The new LED kind do not make very much heat at all.
There are ways to prevent this, short of not having a tree at all. First, I have a tree up all year long. It hasn't come down since September 2007. Of course, I would never try that with a cut tree. Use an artificial tree if you are going to do that, because they are much safer. And they have improved greatly during the past few years.
If you are going to keep a real cut tree, there are major safety tips to prevent them from drying out. First, put them where it is going to stay cool. Against the fireplace or forced-air heater is a bad place. When you first get it home, cut about 1 cm off the bottom of the trunk just before you are going to put it in the stand, and make sure it NEVER runs low on water. Fill the stand with water, and keep that reservoir full or close to full at all times. Plain water works just fine, but you might put a drop of dish soap, bleach, or other tree preservers in it if you wish. If kept like that, a cut tree should be reasonably expected to last through the season without drying out. But, if it dries out once, you can pretty much write off that tree. Bonus: You will cut way back on dropped needles.
The other safety rule, with any kind of tree, is to use appropriate lighting. Never use C9 bulbs on a living-room sized tree, because they get very hot. LEDs are the exception. Even the C7 bulbs can get quite hot. The miniatures are your best bet, but even those can get hot enough to set a very dry tree on fire. Minis with frills on the exterior are safer because the frills keep the bulb away from the tree. Micros are even better. LEDs are the safest on the market, since the LEDs themselves only get a 1 o gain in temperature--and can be used against sensitive ornaments, Norfolk Island pines (never use anything else on those), and window curtains. It goes without saying that candles should never be used on Christmas tree, except the battery powered LED candles. And never put the tree near a fireplace because it can ignite (not to mention drying it out faster).
Of course, it is probably too late this year. But, next year, if you are getting a cut tree, make another cut 1 cm above the first one right before putting it in the stand, and never let it dry out. Or use an artificial tree--bonus: They last longer and do not come with wasps and spiders you might not want. Use LED lights--undersized lights in vast quantities are best for lighting and are usually safer (LEDs are even better). Use warm white if you usually use clear lights. Bonus: Fewer blown bulbs, and you save on your electricity bill.
Pine trees make me break out in blisters. I don't know if it is the oil or what, but I can't have a real one. Thank goodness because I'm terribly paranoid about fire.
But we CAN fight back!
Pine trees make me break out in blisters. I don't know if it is the oil or what, but I can't have a real one. Thank goodness because I'm terribly paranoid about fire.
But we CAN fight back!
