By: Gordon Williams, Red Cross volunteer

No question that Christmas trees add warmth and charm to homes during the holiday season. Unfortunately, such trees add an element of danger as well. More than 1,000 home fires involving trees burn each year, killing a half-dozen individuals and injuring dozens.  

Add to that the fires caused by the use of holiday candles — not just for Christmas, but also for the December festivals of Hanukkah and Kwanza. Whatever you celebrate, the Red Cross wants your household to be safe and not on their list to visit. 

Fortunately, a bit of reasonable caution here can prevent a tragedy — with plenty of holiday fire safety advice available from such entities as the National Fire Protection Assn (NFPA), the U.S. Fire Administration, National Safety Council (NSC) and the American Red Cross.

Start with a pre-holiday look at the lights you intend to hang on your tree. One-third of all Christmas tree fires involve electrical issues. Read and follow manufacturer advice about how many strands of lights you can hang on the tree or plug into a single electrical socket.

Inspect your lights every year to make sure they are in tip-top shape. Are there any signs of breaking or fraying in the electrical wiring? Any of the bulb-holders cracked or broken?  A spark from a worn electrical line or a broken bulb holder can set the tree on fire, or trigger a blaze in curtains or living room furniture.

Know what to look for if you are buying a fresh tree. You want a tree that smells fresh and feels moist. Shake the tree gently. A few needles are going to shake off, but beware of a tree that sheds a rainstorm of needles. That would indicate a tree too dry to have around safely. 

When you bring the tree home, cut off the bottom two inches from the trunk. Place tree in water to keep it moist, and add fresh water every day.  

Keep the tree at least five feet from any heat source — fireplace, space heater, radiator, heating ducts. Turn off the tree lights when you go to sleep at night or when you leave the house. Dried-out trees can catch fire easily. Once Christmas is past, get rid of dried-out trees. Discard the tree at the curb, rather than leaving it dumped next to your house where it can catch fire and cause damage. 

Candles do add charm to your holiday scene, but they also pose a threat. The U.S. Fire Administration reports around 20 home fires a day caused by candles. Most of those fires come during the holiday season. To prevent fire, the agency advises, “Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that burns. Make sure they are in stable holders and place them where they cannot be knocked down easily.”   

Never leave candles burning when you go to bed or leave the house. Hanukkah candles must be allowed to burn all the way down. Don’t leave them unattended while they are burning.  

The Fire Administration does point out that you can avoid the risk of fire by replacing traditional candles with electric ones. The agency says, “Consider using battery-operated flameless candles which can look, smell and feel like real candles.”  

To keep your home looking merry and bright, but also intact, follow these safety guidelines and more from the American Red Cross this holiday season.

From our homes to yours, we wish you a safe and vibrant holiday season!