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Practice Tree Safety to Protect Your Home this Christmas

By
Real Estate Agent with Berkshire Hathaway California Realty DRE #01492138

 

Practice Tree Safety to Protect Your Home at Christmas

Practice Tree Safety to Protect Your Home this Christmas       Kristin Hamilton- CalBRE #01492138 Keller Williams Realty–Women's Council of Realtors® Board Member. I am a full time agent and deal in all types of real estate transactions. Trusts, Probate, Short Sales, Standard Listing, Single Family Homes, Apartments 1-4 units, Duplexes and Condos. I am also an experienced REO agent. I sell real estate in the Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, and Los Angeles Counties. I am a trained and experienced Short Sale agent. If you are looking for a professional and experienced agent, I am just a click away. Google me at Kristin Hamilton-Real Estate Agent. Homeowners and Buyers both will find my services top notch and successful. Call me to sell your home; both traditional and short sales.   Subscribe to my blog; “Kristin’s Inland Empire Blog- www.kristinhamiltonblog.com. If you want to sell your home, call Kristin @909-557-6966 or email me at kristinhamilton@kw.com Google me at Kristin Hamilton, Keller Williams Realty, Redlands, CA. ©

There has been so many articles on the news this season of home fires caused by Christmas trees.  

  According to the National Fire Protection Association, from 2000 to 2004, Christmas tree fires caused an average of 14 civilian deaths, 21 civilian injuries, and $16.8 million in property damage per year. On average, one in every 22 reported home Christmas tree fires resulted in death. Additionally, electrical malfunctions, candles, heaters, and children playing with fire started many of these preventable tragic fires.

  • When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green with needles that are hard to pull from the branches. The trunk butt of a fresh tree should be sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.
  • Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks.
  • When purchasing a metallic or artificial tree, make sure it is flame retardant. Look for the label "Fire Resistant." Although this label does not mean the tree won't catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.
  • Place your tree away from heat sources and escape exits. Remember to water the tree daily.
  • Decorate your Christmas tree (real or artificial) only with flame-retardant or non-combustible decorations.
  • Make sure your tree stand is wide-based and sturdy. This will reduce the chances of the tree toppling over.
  • Do not let a live tree dry out. Always use a tree stand with a water reservoir, and keep the reservoir filled.
  • Never use candles on or near the tree.
  • Safely dispose of your tree before it becomes dangerously dry. The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away by a community pick-up service.
  • Never burn tree or tree parts in your fireplace. 
  • Consider using mini lights. These are the safest because they produce less heat.
  • Turn off all Christmas lights, prior to leaving your home or going to bed.
  • Before using lights outdoors, check the label to be sure the lights have been certified for outdoor use.
  • Lights should not touch combustible materials.
  • Never use lights as decorations with an empty socket.
  • Check all indoor and outdoor lights for frayed cords, and replace old lights if necessary.
  • Purchase only UL approved lights.
  • Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree.
  • Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals. Leaded materials are hazardous if ingested by children.
  • In homes with small children, take special care to avoid decorations that are sharp or breakable, and keep trimmings with small removable parts out of the reach of children to avoid the child swallowing or inhaling these small pieces.
  • Avoid trimmings that resemble candy or food. These may tempt a child to eat them.
  • Wear gloves to avoid eye and skin irritation while decorating with spun glass "angel hair."
  • Follow container directions carefully to avoid lung irritation while decorating with artificial snow sprays.
  •  Practice Tree Safety
  •  Have a ‘Family Escape Plan’. Get your kids and family members out ASAP.
  • Gets Pets if possible but do not run back inside for a pet. Let Fireman get them out safely
  • Keep the tree watered daily.
  •  Unplug at night.
  • Do not plug numerous electrical appliances into the same plug as the lights.
  • Never put candles on or near the tree. If possible use the battery operated candles.
  • Call 911 immediately and do not just try to put the fire out yourself. Be sure to give cross streets as there may be multiple streets ie. Magnolia, First, Vine.
  • Make sure you have working smoke alarms in your house.
  • Keep lighters and matches away from kids.
  • Do not smoke near the tree; best to smoke outside.

BE SAFE and have a happy holiday.

 

Thanks for Reading my Real Estate Blog..........

 

Kristin Hamilton Inland Empire Realtor

Kristin Hamilton- CalBRE #01492138 Keller Williams Realty–Women's Council of Realtors® Board Member. I am a full time agent and deal in all types of real estate transactions. Trusts, Probate, Short Sales, Standard Listing, Single Family Homes, Apartments 1-4 units, Duplexes and Condos. I am also an experienced REO agent. I sell real estate in the Riverside, San Bernardino, Orange, and Los Angeles Counties. I am a trained and experienced Short Sale agent. If you are looking for a professional and experienced agent, I am just a click away. Google me at Kristin Hamilton-Real Estate Agent. Homeowners and Buyers both will find my services top notch and successful. Call me to sell your home; both traditional and short sales.

 

 

Subscribe to my blog; “Kristin’s Inland Empire Blog- www.kristinhamiltonblog.com.

If you want to sell your home, call Kristin @909-557-6966 or email me at kristinhamilton@kw.com

Google me at Kristin Hamilton, Keller Williams Realty, Redlands, CA. ©

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Comments (12)

Ted Glover
Alderman Classic Realty, LLC - Moultrie, GA
ABR in Moultrie, Georgia 229-854-5422

Hi Kristin Hamilton very important post about safety during the holidays. Have a safe and Very Merry Christmas.

Dec 24, 2014 12:45 AM
Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA
(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Ted,

Thanks so much and wishing you and yours a happy and safe holiday Ted Glover.

Dec 24, 2014 12:48 AM
Robert Vegas Bob Swetz
Las Vegas, NV

"MERRY CHRISTMAS" my friend and have a "Happy New Year"  

Dec 24, 2014 03:59 AM
Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA
(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Bob,

See you made it to the North Pole. Merry Christmas and may 2015 bring you lots of happiness and prosperity.

Dec 24, 2014 04:40 AM
David Shamansky
US Mortgages - David Shamansky - Highlands Ranch, CO
Creative, Aggressive & 560 FICO - OK, Colorado Mtg

Hey Kristin I agree I saw a show on this as well.

I was shocked at how the watered tree withstood the flame and the dry one burnt to a crisp in about 1 minute

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

Dec 24, 2014 10:17 AM
Kwee Huset
Kwee Huset Realty - Venice, FL
Venice Florida Homes For Sale

Hi Kristin, just stopping by to wish you and your family Merry Christmas 7 Happy New Year

Dec 25, 2014 05:15 AM
Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA
(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Kwee,

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Holidays to you Kwee Huset 

Dec 25, 2014 09:21 AM
Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA
(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi David,

The film showing the tree going up in seconds was amazing and scary. We have an artificial tree now and still we don't have any candles nearby. I am always amazed how many people go off and leave candles burning in their homes. I always blow mine out. Happy Holidays David Shamansky.

Dec 25, 2014 09:23 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Hi Kristin -- a smart and very timely post.   I hope you are enjoying a very safe Christmas.   

Dec 25, 2014 04:51 PM
Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA
(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Michael Jacobs - Thanks for stopping by to comment. I just saw on the news last night people who had their tree too close to the stove, burned their apartment down and 25 other units. People need to be careful.

Dec 26, 2014 03:39 AM
Michael Jacobs
Pasadena, CA
Pasadena And Southern California 818.516.4393

Kristin -- you're so right --- remaining mindful while using care is extremely important.   Terrible story but hopefully others will learn by reading/listening or seeing that report.  

Dec 26, 2014 04:01 AM
Kristin Hamilton CA REALTOR
Berkshire Hathaway California Realty - Beaumont, CA
(909) 557-6966- Specialize 55+ Communties Banning

Hi Michael,

Thanks for the kind words. It is so sad when people lose their homes during the holidays especially and/or get burned or worse. 

Dec 26, 2014 04:40 AM