Winnipeg, MB - Holiday spirit is high at this time of year, but so can be the risk of home fires. In our Home Fire Series, the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service would like to remind you of ways that you can minimize your fire risk in your home and make this holiday season enjoyable and safe.
Christmas Trees
There’s nothing more festive than the smell of your Christmas tree floating through your house during the holiday season. But if not used carefully, a natural Christmas tree can easily catch fire and rapidly fill a room with flames and deadly gases. Here are some tips for avoiding a dangerous tree situation this holiday season:
- Choose a tree that is fresh, meaning that its needles should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and not easily broken. The tree trunk should be sticky to the touch. Avoid old trees, which are dried out and therefore fire hazards. Shake the tree trunk; if many needles fall off, the tree has probably dried out.
- Keep your tree away from all heat sources, such as fireplaces and heat vents. The heat dries out the tree, causing it to be easily ignited by heat, flames, or sparks.
- Keep cigarette ashes far away from the tree.
- Do not leave the tree up for longer than two weeks.
- Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.
- Do not dispose of tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood-burning stove.
- When a tree becomes dry (losing its needles quickly), discard it promptly.
Not sure what to do with your tree after Christmas is over? Recycle the tree by taking it to one of the City of Winnipeg’s Let’s Chip In tree recycling depots between December 27, 2013 and January 20, 2014. To find a depot near you, visit City of Winnipeg - Let’s Chip In Depots