Selecting

• Needles should be green and hard to pull from the branch.
• The trunk should be sticky to the touch.
• Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground.
• If needles fall off, the tree is no longer fresh and is a fire hazard.

Care

• Never place trees near a heat source such as a fireplace or heat vent.
• Heat will cause the tree to dry out faster and ignite much easier.
• Never smoke near a holiday tree.
• Do not leave cut trees in the home for more than two weeks
• Always keep the water receptacle filled.

Disposal

• Never put branches or needles in a fireplace or wood burning stove.
• When the tree becomes dry, discard it immediately.
• Dispose of your tree is by taking it to a recycling center or use a community pick-up service.

Maintenance

• Only use lighting tested by an approved testing laboratory.
• Check your lights for frayed wires, bare spots, insulation gaps, broken or cracked sockets, excessive kinking and wear.
• If any of these conditions exist, discard the lights.

Do NOT overload outlets

• Do not link more than three strands of lights, unless directions specifically state that it is safe to do so.
• Connect strings of lights to an extension cord before plugging the cord into the outlet.
• Check the wires of your lights periodically.
• Disconnect and replace them, if they are warm or hot to the touch.

Extension cords

• Do not use indoor extension cords outside.
• Use only those that are made specifically for outdoor use.
• Keep extension cords above ground and out of puddles and snow.

Turn off

• Always turn off lights at night and when no one is home.

• Make sure candles are in stable holders
• Placed them where they cannot be knocked over.
• Locate candles where children and pets cannot reach them.
• Always extinguish candles at night and prior to leaving the house.

Never put lit candles on any type of tree

• Never use a lit candle for a tree decoration.
• Do not go near a holiday tree with any open flame, candle, lighter, or match.

Combustibles

• Make sure all combustibles are away from fireplaces, wood burning stoves and heaters.

Screens

• Make sure that fireplace screens are in place and in good condition.

Ashes

• Empty the fireplace or stove by placing ashes into a metal container.
• Place the container away from the house and other outdoor combustibles.
• Leave the ashes in the metal container until they are cold.
• NEVER leave this container in the house or garage.

• smoke detectors/batteries
• fire extinguisher
• flashlights/batteries
• first aid kit
• carbon monoxide detector
• second floor escape ladder
• battery-powered radio.