Avoid Christmas Tree Fires with These Tips [VIDEO]

By Aysha Jamali

A dry Christmas tree is extremely flammable and could rapidly become a towering inferno in your living room. 

Even in the damp air and drizzling rain, a dry Christmas tree can go from a few flames to an engulfed mass of fire in less than a minute. 

FACT: One of every three residential Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems and one in six are caused by a heat source too close to the tree, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. 

• make sure it's as fresh as possible
• make a fresh cut of 1 to 2 inches at the base to allow it to absorb water
• put the tree in a non-tip style holder with wide feet
• use only holiday lights that have been approved by a testing agency for natural trees

• never use lighted candles on the tree
• make sure your smoke alarms are in working order
• make sure the tree is away from heat sources that could dry it our or cause it to catch fire
• if using an artificial tree, make sure it's labeled as flame retardant
• don't use any strings of lights that are frayed or broken
• use no more than three standard-sized sets of lights per one extension cord
• put the tree close to an electrical outlet so that cords are not stretched long distances
• do not cover cords with rugs as it increases the fire hazard
• remove your tree soon after the holidays