By Kendall Robertson

Prevent A Christmas Tree Tragedy This Season

Dec 6, 2017 | 3:27 PM

Nothing says Christmas like a real tree in the living room during the holidays. Cutting it down yourself and enjoying the smell of pine throughout the house is a special holiday tradition for many… but if you’re not careful, your beloved evergreen can be like kindling for a fire. That’s why it’s important to water your tree every day to prevent it from drying out. “Whether it’s an artificial tree or a live tree, keep it away from candles, fireplaces, radiators, vents anything that could catch on fire. At night time make sure you turn off your Christmas lights outside and indoors,” said fire prevention officer Ian Provan. Provan added that string lights should be up to safety standards. “Make sure there’s no cracks or frays on your lights and make sure they’re CSA rated. Sometimes people buy lights from 20 years ago and they’re still using them… they’re not rated and they’re not safe anymore.”

Tree farmer, Cindy Barnes, said shoppers should avoid buying a tree with brown needles and to shake the tree to ensure needles don’t fall off. Barnes said freshly cut trees drink a lot of water, so it’s important to top it up daily. “If you water it every day, you’ll notice how much it drinks,” said Barnes,”if you put your tree up today and it’s a fresh cut on the bottom your tree will probably drink that full container and you’ll probably water it again first thing in the morning.” She added if you keep your tree well watered it will last until after New Years.