The Los Angeles Fire Department is sounding the alarm on post-holiday fire hazards, urging Angelenos to quickly remove and recycle their Christmas trees. A statement released highlights the potential speed at which a small fire involving a dried-out tree can escalate into a deadly blaze, advising residents to act immediately to diminish the risk. "In less than 7 seconds a small fire involving your holiday tree can become an inferno that consumes your home," the LAFD warned.
To make matters conveniently easier, the City of Los Angeles is offering curbside collection for Christmas trees, a program spearheaded by LA Sanitation. Residents with green yard trimming bins can recycle their trees effortlessly by carefully removing all decorations and cutting the tree to fit inside the green bin for the regular trash pickup schedule.
Instructions provided to adhere are straightforward: "REMOVE all ornaments, decorations, tinsel, and stand; CUT the tree in pieces to fit inside the green bin; and PLACE the tree pieces in the green bin for regular pick-up on collection day," according to the LAFD's guidance. For oversized trees or those living in multi-family buildings, the trees, stripped of all trimmings, can be set curbside next to the usual bins on collection day.
For residents lacking green bins or curbside collection services, the city has established drop-off sites. Those in need to find the nearest location can call the LA Sanitation's 24-hour Customer Care Center at 1-800-773-2489 or visit their official website for details.
