Fire Safety for the Holiday Season

Will you soon don the parka and embark on the annual quest for the perfect Charlie Brown holiday tree? Or simply descend the stairs and fetch the ever-symmetrical artificial tree from the basement?

Either way, be smart about fire safety, especially if you have a fireplace or freestanding stove. They belong together during the holidays – but not too close! Although indoor tree fires aren’t common, when they do occur, they’re more likely to be serious. That’s according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

Keep everyone in your home safe by following these simply safety tips:

Placement: When choosing a spot for your tree, make sure there is a good amount of space between it and your fireplace or freestanding stove. It really doesn’t matter if your unit burns wood, pellets or gas – it makes fire, so keep the tree a safe distance away.

Fire Resistance: When purchasing an artificial tree, make sure it is rated fire resistant. All trees will burn if exposed to flames, but trees that are manufactured in this manner will resist fire and extinguish faster than those that are not.

H2O: If you have a live tree, water it every day. The heat in our homes dries trees out fast, and they can easily become fire hazards. By keeping the water reservoir full at all times, you know you’re doing everything possible to keep your tree hydrated.

Waste – Not! Don’t ever burn wrapping paper or cardboard boxes in your fireplace or stove. They can easily escalate out of control and cause a flash fire.

For more information about preventing holiday tree fires, visit the U.S. Fire Administration’s website.

From all of us at Harman, have a safe and happy holiday!