While the silly season is upon us, Fire Security Services have a reminder not to be silly with your Christmas tree this year.
When you’re heading out to the Christmas tree farm, have you considered the damage a live Christmas tree could cause?
Real Christmas trees that are under-watered can dry out quickly and create a fire risk – especially when wrapped in Christmas lights.
Fire Security Services Senior Alarm Technician and volunteer firefighter, Aaron Kirk, likened having a dry Christmas tree to “having a bucket of petrol in your living room.’’
It’s best to keep your Christmas tree well-watered.
“I don’t have a live Christmas tree myself, but I don’t want to be seen as the grinch! So, I encourage people with live Christmas trees to keep them watered and remember to top of the water regularly” says Aaron.
“Turning Christmas tree lights off when you go to bed at night is also a must.”
Modern LED Christmas lights generate less heat, however they are still a fire risk, as with any electrical equipment, so switch these off at night too.
A video released by the US Nation Fire Protection Association highlights the danger of real Christmas trees that in homes unwatered. It’s only a matter of seconds until the room is engulfed in flames.
Aaron’s top 5 fire safety tips this Christmas
If you have a real Christmas tree, check water levels regularly and keep it topped up.
This will not only keep your tree nice and green, it will also lower the fire risk.
Turn off your Christmas lights at night.
Flick them off when you go to bed so you can sleep easy.
Check the condition of your lights and don’t use them if they have exposed wires.
It’s a good idea to keep pets away to ensure they don’t chew at the lights
Only use indoor Christmas lights indoors, and outdoor lights outdoors.
Check the packaging to play it safe.
Check your smoke alarms.
This goes for any time of year!
Fire Security Services is a one stop shop solution for all fire protection and building compliance requirements for businesses and organisations. While businesses and organisations are our focus, we care about the safety of kiwis at home too.