Did you know that Christmas Tree Fires have the highest rate of death and injury of any home fires? On this episode of the Disaster Podcast, we talk about why that is and what you can do to prevent Christmas Tree Fires this holiday season! The Disaster Podcast is brought to you by Disaster Blaster! With franchise opportunities available across most of the country, Disaster Blaster is YOUR chance to take control of your future and be part of a thriving restoration brand. Contact our Franchise Team at 302-242-1042 or Franchising@disasterblaster.com to start your future TODAY! Franchise Opportunities: https://DisasterBlasterFranchise.com #DisasterBlaster #DisasterPodcast #Podcast #Franchise #news #announcement #Business #Entrepreneur #FranchiseOpportunity #FranchiseOpportunities #BeYourOwnBoss #BusinessOwner #SelfEmployed #Christmas #Holiday #ChristmasTree #Tree #ChristmasDecorations #Decorating #Decorations #ChristmasDecoration

- Did you know that there are close to 200 Christmas Tree fires every year? That may not seem like much, but because they often occur at night, the rate of death and injury from Christmas Tree fires is much higher than other causes of home fires. On this episode of the Disaster Podcast, we discuss how Christmas Tree fires can be avoided. Stay tuned... Whether you have a live Christmas Tree or an artificial Christmas Tree, some safety precautions are necessary to ensure that you have a happy and safe holiday season. Here we will go over some Christmas Tree care and safety tips to keep your holiday merry. Let's start with live Christmas Trees. To many, there's nothing quite like the smell of a live tree. If you're one of them, here are some great tips that you're going to want to know. Tips for picking a live tree. When choosing your tree, it's helpful to ask yourself a few questions. When was the tree cut? As freshly cut, trees are much less likely to catch fire. We always recommend looking for one that was freshly cut. If you are picking a precut tree, don't hesitate to ask the seller when the tree was cut. Is the tree healthy? Carefully inspect the branches and needles. Needles or branches that are brittle or snap easily are signs of a tree that is too dry and most likely unhealthy. Branches and needles should be pliable. Don't forget to give your tree the "shake test". A healthy tree should retain most of the needles on the branches. A tree that loses a lot of needles is dried out and a potential fire hazard. Is it able to drink? Cutting two inches off the base of the trunk will allow the tree to take in more water once you have it in your tree stand. Most sellers are happy to do this for you before you tie it to the roof of your car and it will extend the life of the tree. Tips for putting up your tree. Not only is it important to pick the right tree stand, it's important to pick the right place to set up your tree. Here are some things to consider. Tips for picking the right stand. When selecting a tree stand, make sure that it is intended for a tree the size of the one you picked out. Large trees do require specialty stands to ensure that they're stable and can't tip over. Your stands should also be able to hold an adequate amount of water to keep the tree from drying out. The general rule is to allow for a quart of water per inch of trunk diameter. Pick the right spot. When picking the perfect spot for your tree, make sure that it is far away from any heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators, heat vents, and heaters, which will cause the tree to dry out more quickly and could cause a fire. Water the tree daily. If your tree is able to dry out, fire is much more likely, so it's important to check the water level to make sure the tree is drinking and water the tree every day. Clean up regularly. Even a well watered tree will drop pine needles over time. Not only does cleaning these up prevent you from getting one stuck in your foot, but it also reduces the chance of fire. Pine needles and sap can also be poisonous to pets. Make sure to keep them from chewing on the tree, eating or playing with needles, and drinking tree stand water. Tips for decorating your tree. The decorations you choose could cause a fire too. Here are some things to look for. Use the right lights. Make sure that lights intended for indoor use are only used inside and that lights intended for outdoor use are only used outside. And yes, there is a difference... Indoor lights are not designed to protect against water and snow, which they are likely to deal with outside, while outdoor lights may become hotter during use than indoor lights and could cause a fire when used indoors. Check all of your lights for damage. When unboxing your lights, inspect each strand for frayed or bare wires, cracked sockets, or loose connections. Throw away any lights that show any signs of damage. Follow manufacturer recommendations. It's important to pay close attention to the usage recommendations. For instance, many Christmas lights have limitations on how many light strands can be connected together. For most lights, this is three light strands. Make sure your lights have been certified. When purchasing light strings, extension cords, or timers, ensure that they have been certified by an accredited certification organization such as CSA International or Underwriters laboratory . Don't leave lights on at night. The reason why deaths and injuries are more common with Christmas tree fires than other causes is because they often occur at night when everyone is asleep. It is highly recommended to unplug or turn off all lights on trees and decorations when going to bed or leaving the house. You may be wondering what about artificial Christmas trees? As artificial trees become more and more lifelike, many people are moving to this convenient option. While there is definitely less to consider with an artificial tree, there are a few things that you may want to keep in mind. Tips for picking an artificial tree. There are many different artificial Christmas Trees on the market, so it's important to pay close attention to each tree you may be considering so that you pick the best one. For instance, as artificial trees can still catch fire, we highly recommend looking for trees labeled as fire resistant. For trees with built-in lights or electrical outlets, we also recommend looking for an underwriter's laboratory Certification label. Tips for putting up your artificial tree. While artificial Christmas Trees are convenient, since they're reused every year, they can show signs of wear and tear and require maintenance. Here are some things to keep in mind as you get your artificial Christmas tree out of storage. Clean your tree each year. When getting your tree out of storage, be sure to dust off the branches as accumulated dust is a potential fire hazard. Inspect your tree before putting it up. For trees with built-in electrical sockets or lights, be sure to inspect your tree thoroughly for any fraying, bare wires, cracked sockets, or loose connections. If you find any damage to the tree's electrical system, it's time to replace the tree. Pick the right spot. Even fire resistant or fire retardant artificial trees can catch fire. So when choosing the perfect location, make sure that it is far away from any heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators, heat vents, and heaters. Tips for decorating your artificial Christmas tree. We know it's exciting to start decorating for the holidays, but you want to make sure everything is safe too. Here are some important safety tips to ensure you have a safe holiday season. Check lights and electrical. When unboxing your lights, inspect each strand for frayed or bare wires, cracked sockets or loose connections. Throw away any lights that show any signs of damage. Use the right lights. Make sure that lights intended for indoor use are only used inside and that lights intended for outdoor use are only used outside. And believe it or not, there is a difference... Indoor lights are not designed to protect against water and snow, which they're likely to deal with outside. While outdoor lights may become hotter during use than indoor lights and could cause a fire when used indoors. It's also recommended when purchasing light strings, extension cords, or timers, to ensure that they have been certified by an accredited certification organization such as CSA International or Underwriters Laboratory . Lastly, if your artificial tree has built in electrical sockets, be careful not to attach more light strings than recommended by the manufacturer. It's also important to not connect more than the recommended number of light strings together. For most lights, this is three light strands. Don't leave the lights on all the time. Fires can occur when you least expect them, so it's always a good idea to unplug or turn off all lights on trees and decorations when going to bed or leaving the house. We hope that you found this information helpful and most of all that you and your family have a happy and safe holiday season. Please visit our website at www.DisasterBlaster.com for more great information about this and other topics. Would you like to take control of your future and build a business you can be proud of? We can help. As a Disaster Blaster Franchise Partner, our industry experts will help you unlock the potential of the $210 billion restoration industry. Disaster Blaster offers the most revenue streams in the restoration industry, training and support from industry experts, a unique model primed for your success, and more! Call our franchise team today to learn more at 242-1042 or visit us on the web at www.DisasterBlasterFranchise.com. Stay tuned for some frequently asked questions, but while you're here, don't forget to like and subscribe. Are you prepared for a fire? While no one ever expects to have a home fire, it's always a good idea to prepare for the unexpected. Here are some of the most common questions about fire extinguishers. Do you know what type of fire extinguisher you need? There are several different classes of fire extinguishers that are all intended for specific uses. Class A fire extinguishers are intended for paper, wood, plastics, fabric, rubber, and trash fires. This is a general purpose fire extinguisher that is good for areas of the home, such as bedrooms and living rooms where special grease and oil fires are unlikely. Class B fire extinguishers are specially formulated for fires that involve gasoline, oil, grease, paint, and solvents. This is a special purpose fire extinguisher that is great for basements and garages. Class C fire extinguishers are intended for fires that involve electrical equipment, circuit breakers, computers, appliances, and wiring. This is an extremely special purpose fire extinguisher class that is generally reserved for commercial and industrial uses. Class K fire extinguishers are specially formulated for fires that involve cooking oils, animal fats, and vegetable oils. This is a special purpose fire extinguisher that is designed specifically for kitchen uses and is the perfect fire extinguisher to keep in home kitchens. Do you have the right fire extinguishers in your home? Do you know how to use a fire extinguisher? It's as simple as P.A.S.S. P - Pull the safety pin. A - Aim at the base of the fire. S - Squeeze the handle. S - Sweep from side to side. It's always recommended to go over with your family where fire extinguishers are kept as well as the proper use of them so that everyone is prepared in the event of an emergency. Thanks so much for watching. Don't forget to like and subscribe and while you're here, check out our other great content.