How To Safely Put Up a Real, Live Christmas Tree

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Make sure this year's live holiday tree is not only pretty, but safe, too.

To complete this How-To you will need:

A fresh tree
A tree stand
Water
A ceiling hook
A piece of wire
Tree lights
Blue masking tape
LED tree lights
Heavy-gauge extension cord

Step 1: Choose a fresh tree

Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that don't easily fall off when you shake the trunk or run your fingers over a branch. The drier the tree, the bigger the fire hazard.

Tip: Needles should bend but not break, and the trunk should feel sticky with sap.

Step 2: Cut the bottom

Ask the tree vendor to cut two or three inches off the bottom so your tree will better absorb water from its stand.

Step 3: Choose a safe location

Choose a spot for the tree at least three feet from a radiator, fireplace, heating vent, or other heat source, and don't block any exits with it. Never light candles near the tree.

Step 4: Get it into water

Put the tree into a tree stand filled with fresh water as soon as you bring it home, and keep it watered. Don't skimp on the tree stand: Use a sturdy one that will keep your tree straight.

Step 5: Secure to ceiling

With a piece of wire, attach the top of the tree to a hook in the ceiling so it can't tip over.

Step 6: Use the right lights

Use tree lights made for indoor use. Check for damaged sockets, missing bulbs, and frayed wires before hanging them on the tree.

Tip: Consider upgrading to LED lights, available where other tree lights are sold. You'll spend a bit more, but they're safer because they don't generate heat.

Step 7: Use cord caution

Tape down any loose cords so people don't trip over them. Use blue masking tape to prevent paint damage. Never run cords under rugs (it's a fire hazard), and don't attach more than three light strands to an extension cord.

Tip: Use heavy-gauge extension cords; they stay cool and don't fray easily.

Step 8: Protect kids and pets

If you have young children or pets, keep breakable ornaments out of their reach.

Step 9: Get rid of a dry tree

When the tree starts losing needles, take it to a recycling center. Dried-out trees account for hundreds of fires each year during the holidays.

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Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• crafts
• decorating
• decorations
• holidays
• HomeFamily
• putting
• safety
• seasonal
• setting
• xmas

[PortalFanatic]

I have a fake tree.

[egyptianlily]

i would highly recommend LED lights, not only are they better for the environment cause they use less energy and last longer, they are also really nice for color and brightness you can even get them for outdoors.

[danie1177]

a christmas  tree nearly fell on me once

[jakefoggia124]

i love how she puts the tree in the "MIDDLE" of the rooM!!!

[rainuke1998]

we put real candels on tree always.

[AlexaLuvs]

i always cut my own down, i live near a forest so the fire department sells 5 dollar permits to go in to specified acres and find your own they last way longer then the ones at a grocery store

[redlinechavez]

I never get my tree recycled, i always burn it in my backyard on New Years.

[jaqzzzz]

"There are only two ways of living, One is nothing is a miracle. The Second is everything is a miracle. I believe in the latter." --- Albert Einstein

Rock on:)

[kmack4427]

how do i put up mine without a proper stand?

[bmxdevilpro88]

tree recycling in nj those places are like 5 mins from my house

[RobertGary1]

Getting it in the house wasn't as hard as standing it up. I got an industrial sized stand to stand it and then used 60lb fishing line and eye bolts in the walls to secure it from leaning.

I went to a tree farm and just paid a flat $25 fee to cut it down myself. They were probably happy to see it go because the big ones are hard to sell.

Its all trimmed up and looking good now but I haven't tried to decordate it yet.