16 Tips to Avoid a Holiday Decorating Disaster This Season
Your holiday wish list almost certainly doesn't include a trip to the hospital. Get our tips to help you trim the tree, light up the house and relax by an open fire, without having to worry about injuries to you, the kids or your pets.
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Tree Buying 101
Before buying a live Christmas tree, conduct a three-part stress test, recommends Stacey Palosky, a spokesperson with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. A fresh tree has needles that resist being pulled off and do not snap when bent, a trunk bottom that's sticky with resin, and strong limbs that will drop just a few needles if shaken.
Christmas Trees Can't Take the Heat
Hang Ornaments With Extra Care
Have You Watered Your Tree Lately?
A dry tree will burn faster than one that's been watered, according to John Drengenberg, consumer safety director at Underwriters Lab, an independent safety science company. Check the water level of your tree daily and keep it in a vessel that can hold an adequate water supply. To test to see if your tree is sufficiently hydrated, give a branch a gentle tug and see if any needles break, he says.