Pearls of Prevention

I can honestly say that I love the holidays. I love all the hustle and bustle it brings. The smells, the sights and the decorations. A tradition that my husband and I have is when we are on vacation, we buy a Christmas ornament for our tree. So when we decorate the tree, we can reminisce about the places we have been and the people we have met on the journey.
 
Last year my husband decided that we should buy an artificial tree. I guess he was tired of stringing wire from the tree to the wall in hopes of keeping the tree from falling over — as it does at least once a season! I do miss the hunt for the perfect tree though.

Safety is very important when looking for a tree. Each year during the holiday season, so many people are injured and homes damaged because of a fire. When selecting a tree, needles should be green and difficult to pull back from the branches. The needles should not break if the tree is freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch. An old tree is easy to spot when you tap the trunk on the ground and a lot of needles fall off.

When you find the perfect spot for your tree, there are a few things to remember as you care for it. Do not put your tree near anything that puts out heat like a fireplace or vent. The added heat will dry your tree. Even though your tree looks beautiful, do not keep it up for too long — again due to drying out. Remember to keep the tree stand filled with water all the time.

Once the holiday is over, it is time to take the tree down. When the tree does dry out, it is time to dispose of it. Do not burn the branches or needles in a fireplace or wood burning stove. The best way to dispose of your tree is by either taking it to a recycling center or by having it picked up by your community pick-up service.

Finally, as in every season, have working smoke alarms installed on every level of your home, test them monthly and keep them clean and equipped with fresh batteries at all times. Know when and how to call for help. And remember to practice your home escape plan.

I will say, our artificial tree is beautiful, but I do miss the smell of balsam.