INDEPTH: HOLIDAYS
Holiday safety tips: Christmas tree safety
CBC News Online | December 9, 2005
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Ah, yes. December – when many Canadians go out, buy a dead pine tree, stick it in a container filled with water which is refilled at least for a couple of days, and string several cords containing brightly-lit sources of heat around it.
Nothing beats the smell of a fresh Christmas tree. Few things are as dangerous as a dried-out tree sitting in your living room.
There are ways 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 seller, 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.
- Make a fresh cut on the trunk of the tree before you place it in your Christmas tree stand. The cut will help the tree absorb water. About a centimetre or so from the bottom should do.
- Leave the tree outside until it's ready to decorate.
- Water the tree often. The stand should hold at least two to three litres of water. Keep the water level in the tree stand above the cut line.
- Secure the tree with wire 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 the fireplace. Many municipalities recycle Christmas trees, turning them into mulch.
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Artificial trees
Just because your tree isn't a freshly cut pine, doesn't mean you're off the hook. There are a few things to remember about artificial trees:
- Artificial trees should bear the CSA label. Plastic trees should be made of fire resistant material. Keep them away from heat sources.
- Never use electric lights on metallic trees. The result could be very shocking! Use spotlights to illuminate the trees from a safe distance.
Decorating safety tips
Christmas lights
- Use only CSA-approved Christmas tree lights. Check for frayed wires and broken sockets. Get rid of damaged sets. They can shock a person or start a fire.
- Don't use outdoor lights on an indoor Christmas tree.
- Lights should not touch combustible materials.
- Don't overload outlets. Never use more than three strings of light on one circuit. Lights should not be used on trees with metal frames.
- Mini lights are safer because they produce less heat.
- Never leave lights on when going to bed or leaving the house.
Other decorations
- Keep candles away from Christmas trees. Never use candles as tree decorations.
- When decorating the tree, place breakable ornaments on the higher limbs. It will protect your children and pets as well as safeguard the breakables.
- Use flame-resistant decorations. Keep small ornaments that can be swallowed away from small children and pets.
- Place tinsel higher on the tree out of reach of children and pets. If swallowed, it's a choking hazard.
- Use non-flammable holders for candles. Keep them out of reach of children and pets. Don't leave them lit when going to bed or leaving the house.
It's not just fire hazards you should watch out for. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control reports that decking the halls leads to an increase in falls. In its first study of seasonal spills, the agency said 5,800 people a holiday season wind up in American emergency wards because of decorating injuries.
The most serious injuries came from falling off roofs or ladders while putting up or taking down Christmas lights. Falling off couches and chairs while decorating the tree is also a major hazard.
Men made up 58 per cent of emergency ward visits because of decorating falls. The most common injury was broken bones.
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| QUICK FACTS: |
Canadian men spend an average of $216 on gifts for their spouse
Canadian women spend about $158 on their spouse
Parents buy $187 worth of gifts for each of their children
Each Canadian spends an average of $358 on holiday food
Total cost of holiday gift-giving, entertaining, and eating for each Canadian
adult is $1,300
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