Added at Thursday 18th of December 2008 12:04:18 PM
Christmas Tree Fire Safety Tips: Choosing a Tree. The most joyous of times ... Christmas trees for decoration that will minimize the risk of fire and injuries. ...
If you're buying an artificial tree, it should bear the "Fire Resistant" label. While this type of tree can
catch fire, it will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.
If you're buying a natural tree, buy the freshest you can find. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to
pull from branches and when bent between your fingers, needles do not break. The trunk butt is sticky
with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles. Watch out for trees
with a greenish cast to their trunks and branches; many growers spray trees with green paint to make
them look more appealing. Cut at least one inch off the trunk's base to expose fresh wood for better
water absorption. A tree will absorb as much as a gallon of water or more in the first 24 hours and one
or more quarts a day thereafter. A seal of dried sap will form over the cut stump in four to six hours if
water drops below the base of the tree, preventing the tree from absorbing water later when the tree
stand is refilled. If a seal does form, another fresh cut will need to be made.
Topic: Christmas 
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