Keeping safe with live Christmas trees

Thanksgiving is behind us and the Christmas season has finally begun
Many El paso families have started to decorate
And if you’re keeping a live tree this year we have some tips to keep it green and keep it safe

“Just make sure you have water, keep the nutrition levels, up, a good 16 oz bottle a day would be great and it should last you 25-30 days,” said Saul Najera of B&T Trees.

So make sure the tree gets plenty of light and water, having a healthy tree will make for a better decoration, and it could help stop it from catching on fire.

“A dry Christmas tree that’s not watered builds up a tremendous amount of heat when it’s caught on fire and it’s an extremely dangerous situation,” said James Schaerfl in an El Paso Fire Department PSA in 2016.

Even having it next to a heater vent could be dangerous, since it’ll dry out the tree and make it easier to burst into flames.

“It’s just stay away from the fireplace and any kind of vent that you might have, that will dry up the tree the most,” Najera said.

“It’s recommended space heaters stay three feet away from all combustible materials. So we’re talking about couches, Christmas trees, curtains, bedding and bedding materials,” Schaerfl said.

To keep risks low, always remember to make sure lights are off when you’re not there to take care of them.

“I would recommend you turn it off, just in case, so turn them off once you go to bed,” Najera said.

A properly cared for Christmas trees can last well beyond January the sixth, the official end of Christmas season.