Griswold-Proof Your Christmas Tree This Holiday Season

Tips From EarthWorks To Avoid a Live Tree Holiday Disaster

The Christmas holidays are fast approaching, and if you’re like many of us, you’re already looking for the perfect live holiday tree. The fresh scent of pine, eagerly decorating for the perfect Old-Fashioned Family Christmas—what’s not to like? 

Well, for one, the chance that your tree could go up in flames just like Clark Griswold’s did on National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.

All jokes aside, hundreds of families each year face the devastating aftermath of a house fire around the holidays. For all their beauty, live Christmas trees are also a major fire hazard. The sap is sticky, hard to remove, and highly flammable, and the needles and bark are a great fuel source for a hungry fire. Plus, many people burn scented candles around the holidays, which adds to the chance of a dangerous mishap.

According to the NFPA, Christmas tree fires have a more serious outcome than other home fires, with one in 52 resulting in death, compared to one in 135 for general home fires. 

Christmas trees don’t just spontaneously combust. They need help to catch fire, like your favorite scented candle, electrical malfunctions of the lights or decorations, or heat sources, like portable space heaters placed too close to the tree. Vigilance, understanding the hazards that cause house fires, and strict safety measures can help keep you and your family safe this holiday season.

To keep your holidays festive and safe, the EarthWorks team shares our best tips for live tree care:

Daily Watering Ritual

Hydration is for everyone, including your live tree! Select a tree stand with a small water well and make filling the well part of your daily routine. Dry trees are more of a fire risk; if you keep your tree from drying out, it stays fresh until Christmas morning, sheds fewer needles, and smells better.

Proper Tree Placement

Give your tree plenty of space—not just for Santa to have room for all the presents but also to ensure that it’s far enough away from heat sources and electrical outlets to prevent a fire. Three to six feet away from fireplaces, space heaters, and radiators is ideal. Use only indoor-approved lights for the tree, and don’t overload the outlets that you plug your tree lights into, as this could cause an electrical short that leads to a fire.

Know When to Say Goodbye

As the holiday festivities draw to a close, make sure to bid a prompt adieu to your tree. The longer your tree is in the house, the drier it gets (even with a watering schedule), and the more health hazards it poses. Take pictures of the tree once it’s decorated prettily, but ensure that it is quickly and properly disposed of after the celebrations.

Embracing the Early Tree Trend 

The “Christmas Creep” is real—but don’t purchase your tree too early in the holiday season, or you risk a dry, flammable tree on Christmas morning. But if you can’t resist getting the pick of the litter of live trees and getting yours as early as possible, follow our expert care tips to keep your tree green and vibrant.

• Avoid keeping the tree indoors for more than six weeks. Any longer than this, the tree will dry out, even if you water it daily.
• Give your tree plenty of water. A six-foot tree consumes about half a gallon of water daily. Ensure your tree stand has water-holding capabilities and the water levels are checked daily.
• Get the right tree stand. Check that it fits snugly against the trunk and is sturdy enough to keep the tree firmly in place to avoid accidents, especially if you have pets or small children.
• Prime your tree for maximum indoor life by cutting about half an inch off the bottom, which will ensure optimal water absorption.
• To prevent the tree from drying out, keep it away from direct sunlight and far from heat sources. At least three feet away from windows and heat sources is ideal.

Stay Mindful of Christmas Tree Fire Safety

• Create a “safe zone” around the tree of at least five feet, keeping it far away from fireplaces, radiators, and other heat sources.
• Use Powered lights or lights rated explicitly for indoor use. Inspect cords for wear each year before stinging the lights on the tree, and avoid overloading outlets with multi-plug adapters. 
• Ensure all lights and decorations are turned off at night and while you’re out of the house.

Post-Holiday Farewell

Say goodbye to the tree after six weeks. Check your municipality’s tree-disposal protocols (many pick up live trees on trash days), and make sure that it’s safety out of the house.

Our holiday tree tips can help your tree be the beautiful centerpiece of the holiday season—and remember, safety isn’t an afterthought! From our EarthWorks family to yours, we wish you a holiday season filled with warmth, laughter, and safety!