Don’t Let Christmas Tree Go Up In Flames

Tattered light strings, carelessly placed candles and even heaters can transform a twinkling Christmas tree into a flaming disaster in less time than it takes to wrap a gift to put under it.

And the room that it’s displayed in will follow go up in flames, too, Valley Fire officials warned last week.

“That tree was fully engulfed and would have eaten a room in about 30 seconds,” said Larry Rider, a Valley Fire division chief, describing a tree the district torched Tuesday as part of a Christmas tree safety demonstration.

Frequently checking the amount of water in the tree’s stand will help reduce the risk of it catching fire. Trees commonly drain the water in their bases three or four times a day shortly after people bring them home, Rider said.

Examining light strings for frayed wires and deformed light sockets also will cut down on the fire danger.

Placement of the tree is another important factor, Rider said. If a tree is displayed too close to a heater, chances increase that it could dry out and catch fire. “If you rake the tree with your hands and the needles pull of, it’s become a hazard,” Rider said.

And never leave Christmas tree lights on overnight, he said.

Caution should also be used when lighting holiday candles to light up a room. Candles placed on a table cloth or decorative linen are easily tipped over by small children, Rider said.

A final, and possibly the most important check to make, is the batteries in the smoke detector. The device is a family’s best defense in the event of a fire, Rider said.

“You just don’t have any time,” Rider said. “The best thing to do is get your family out of the house and call for help from a neighbor’s house.”

Recycling Christmas tree

University, Central Valley and West Valley high school bands and color guards will be collecting Christmas trees to be recycled.

Trees can be dropped off at several schools or volunteers will pick them up on Dec. 28 and 29 and Jan. 4 and 5 between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The cost is $5 for tree pick-up service and $3 if the tree is dropped off.

Drop-off sites in the University area are Broadway, Chester and University elementary schools and a lot at the corner of 44th Avenue and Sands Road. In the Central Valley area, volunteers will be gathering trees at Central Valley High School and McDonald, Progress and Sunrise elementary schools.

Residents near West Valley High School can use drop-off sites at the administration building, Pasadena Park Elementary school and the high school.

For tree pick-up service, call 922-6848 in the University area, 922-6819 in the Central Valley area and 924-2766 in the West Valley area. Organizers are asking residents to call for an appointment prior to collection dates.

, DataTimes