Many families in Northern Virginia/South Carolina will be celebrating this holiday season by setting up a Christmas tree.  While it's fun to decorate and enjoy, these trees can also be a serious fire hazard when not properly cared for.  Since fire departments report an increase in home fires during the holiday season due to Christmas trees, taking care of your Christmas tree is important.  Here are a few tips on keeping your family safe while enjoying your Christmas tree.

The first step is choosing the right tree.  Fire department officials recommend that you don't keep a cut Christmas tree in your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home for more than two weeks.  When choosing your tree, touch the needles and bend the branches to make sure they are pliable.  If they break easily, the tree is too dry.  Also, pick up the tree by the trunk and tap it on the ground.  If lots of needles fall on the ground, that is a good indicator that the tree may be too dry.

Before you leave the Christmas tree lot, ask the attendants to cut 1-2" off the bottom of the tree.  If you cut your tree yourself, make sure to cut that amount off before placing it in your tree holder.  This allows for better water absorption.  Keeping your tree hydrated is a key factor in preventing a fire. 

Check the water reservoir every day to make sure there is plenty of water.  According to experts, it's a myth that there is anything you can add to the water (aspirin, water, etc) to make the tree last longer.  A cut tree begins to die from the time it is severed from its roots.  That's why the fire department recommends keeping a decorated cut Christmas tree in your Northern Virginia/South Carolina for no more than two weeks.

Keep your tree three feet from any heat source, including the fireplace, heating vents, portable heaters and lit candles.  Never decorate your tree with lit candles.  Only use lights that have been approved by an independent lab for indoor use.  Make sure there are no breaks or frayed wires along the light string.  Never combine more than three strings of lights on one strand.  This can overload the circuit.  Also, don't overload the electrical outlets.  This can short out the outlet and create a possible fire hazard.

Christmas trees burn too hot for a traditional fireplace or wood burning stove.  So, never cut up your Christmas tree and use it for firewood in your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home.  Instead, contact your local garbage disposal company to ask about their Christmas tree disposal policies.

Keep you and your family safe while enjoying the holidays.  Taking care of your Christmas tree will help prevent a fire in your Northern Virginia/South Carolina home.  Have a very Merry Christmas!

Gene Mock, your Northern Virginia, South Carolina and Washington DC real estate specialist

Originally posted on my Northern Virginia Homes blog here: http://northernvirginiahomes.net/2011/12/15/christmas-tree-care-and-safety/.