NFPA Offers Christmas Tree Removal Tips

As the holidays come to a close, the National Fire Protection Association is strongly encouraging people to remove Christmas trees from their homes promptly after the holiday season.

NFPA Vice President of Outreach and Advocacy Lorraine Carli says that Christmas trees are combustible items that become increasingly flammable as they continue to dry out.

She says the longer someone keeps a Christmas tree in their home, the more of a fire hazard it becomes.

The NFPA recommends using a local community’s recycling program for tree disposal, if possible.

Meanwhile, the association also offers the following tips for safely removing lighting and decorations and storing them properly to ensure that they’re in good condition the following season:

• Use the gripping area on the plug when unplugging electrical decorations. Never pull the cord to unplug any device from an electrical outlet, as this can harm the wire and insulation of the cord, increasing the risk for shock or electrical fire.
• As you pack up light strings, inspect each line for damage, throwing out any sets that have loose connections, broken sockets or cracked or bare wires.
• Wrap each set of lights and put them in individual plastic bags, or wrap them around a piece of cardboard.
• Store electrical decorations in a dry place away from children and pets where they will not be damaged by water or dampness.