Everyone wants a beautiful tree that at least appears to be real. But all trees, real and artificial, carry some potential danger, and not all artificial trees are created equal. Before setting up your artificial tree, consider your family, and take the necessary steps to ensure that you and your children can enjoy a safe and happy holiday season.
Safety begins with the purchase of your tree. There are dozens of artificial trees on the market today. They come in all shapes, styles, and sizes, and selecting one can be difficult. Before even considering which tree to purchase, read the box and all specifications carefully. Look for the words ‘fire retardant’ or ‘fire resistant’. If these words do not appear anywhere on the box or on the enclosed leaflet, then the tree is unsafe. Don’t assume that because a tree is for sale that it’s safe.
If you have small children or curious pets, you’ll want to look for a tree that does not contain PVCs. These chemicals, also known as polyvinyl chlorides, can be a source of lead, and children and pets like to chew. Err on the side of caution and purchase a tree that does not contain these dangerous chemicals.
Once you get your tree home, you’ll want to make sure that once set up, it’s stable and safe. Consider securing your tree to the wall so that it does not fall over and harm someone or damage your furniture, especially if you have young children who will be grabbing at the tree, or cats who will insist on climbing it. Your tree can be secured using eye hooks and either galvanized wire or heavy fishing line. These items can be found at your local hardware store. When securing your tree, be sure to avoid any lights or decorations that may already be on your tree.
Artificial trees are made of plastic, no matter how real they look. Plastic can be melted or burned quite easily, so you must take care with the placement of your tree. Do not put your tree near any heat source. This includes radiators, heating vents, wood stoves, ovens, portable heaters, or fireplaces.
No matter how safe you think your tree is, all trees are a fire hazard. Reduce this hazard by carefully checking each and every string of lights for frayed wires or any other signs of wear. If a string of lights looks at all damaged, invest a little money and buy new, preferably LED lights, since they don’t get as hot. It is also important to use lights rated for indoor use. Outdoor lights get too hot and can cause a fire.
When plugging in the lights and other items on your tree, do not overload your electrical sockets, as this could lead to a fire. Be aware of exactly how many light strings you have on one circuit. Check each extension cord to make sure they’re all in good condition, and rated for indoor use. If you have to, reduce the number of lights on your tree.
When adding decorations, consider who will be around your tree. If there will be many children in your home over the holiday season, you might want to forego the breakable ornaments and invest in plastic ones. Children and pets don’t always understand that they shouldn’t touch, so don’t expect them to leave the tree alone. Also make sure the ornaments are free of small pieces that a child could choke on.
By taking these steps to ensure the safety of you and your family, you will be able to enjoy your artificial tree in peace this holiday season.
