Your Christmas Tree is Thirsty! Tips to Prevent Holiday Fires

With 166 Christmas tree fires reported to CalFire's Office of the State Fire Marshal just last year, it's crucial to take extra precautions with living trees and lighted decorations.

Misuse of Christmas decorations was the root cause in 100 of those reported incidents, and as of Dec. 1 this year, there were nearly 40,000 reported fire incidents, with more than 80 fire deaths in the state, according to a press release from CalFire.

"Consumers need to be aware that some Christmas trees are cut a month or more before they arrive at the lot, so they are thirsty and need to be watered," Charlene Zettel, director of the California Department of Consumer Affairs, cautioned in a statement.

Zettel recommended following these tips given by the National Fire Prevention Association:

Lights: Check information on light strands to determine the number of strands that may be connected. Connect no more than three strands of push-in bulbs and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs.

Candles: Never use lit candles to decorate a tree. Place any candles well away from tree branches.

Water: Try to keep live trees as moist as possible by giving them plenty of water daily.

Dry Trees: Safely dispose of the tree when it begins dropping needles. Dried-out trees are highly flammable and should not be left in a house or garage, or placed against the house.

Artificial Trees: When purchasing an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled as fire-retardant.

Heat Sources: Make sure the tree is at least 3 feet away from any heat source, such as fireplaces and radiators. Try to position the tree near an outlet so that cords are not running long distances. Do not place the tree where it may block exits.

For more safety tips, visit the National Christmas Tree Association's website at christmastree.org/care.cfm.