Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVF&R) is urging caution this holiday season, warning that festive Christmas trees can pose a fire hazard if not properly maintained. In a recent demonstration, TVF&R displayed just how quickly a Christmas tree could become engulfed in flames. "In less than 30 seconds, we had flames to the top of the tree," Deputy Fire Marshal Stephanie McKee said in a KOIN report.
Safety tips are being shared to prevent such a disaster from happening in your home. TVF&R emphasizes the importance of keeping your tree well-watered to prevent it from drying out, suggesting that a dry tree is a significant fire hazard. Additionally, it's advisable to keep the tree at least three feet from heat sources, as detailed by KPTV article.
With disposal also comes another set of considerations. The firefighters at TVF&R recommend collaborating with local recycling plants to determine the safest method for disposing of your Christmas tree. The shift from holiday cheer to potential danger can happen swiftly, and this guidance serves as a preventative measure against the dangers that accompany a beloved tradition. "If this was someone’s home those flames would be at the top of their ceiling and spreading everything nearby on fire as well," McKee told KOIN.
After the holiday season, TVF&R urges residents to safely dispose of their trees to reduce the risk of fire hazards, KOIN noted.
