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Nov 28, 2007 10:28 am US/Eastern
Precautions Urged To Avoid Christmas Tree Fires
Water, Decoration Choices, Can Prevent Hazard
NEW YORK (CBS News) ―
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A Christmas tree and furniture burn during a CPSC safety demonstration. (File)
AP
Christmas trees can be beautiful, but people often forget that they can also be very dangerous.
Two hundred times a year, a dried-out Christmas tree catches fire, and that can wreak all kinds of havoc. Last year, those fires caused 10 deaths and $10 million in property damage. During November and December each year, about 10,000 people are taken to hospital emergency rooms as a result of falls, cuts, shocks and burns caused by decorations at home.
A spokesman for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, Julie Vallese, visited "The Early Show" to demonstrate what happens when people don't take proper precautions with their trees.
As Vallese spoke to Harry Smith, firefighters ignited a tall, fully-decorated - and bone-dry - Christmas tree, which caught fire immediately and, within seconds, was completely ablaze. "This is what happens if you don't take care of your Christmas tree just right," she said.
According to Vallese, there are several things to watch out for: "You don't want your Christmas tree to dry out. And while a Christmas tree in front of a fireplace may seem picture perfect, it's really not the place to put your tree.
"Also," she added, "when you are picking out your Christmas tree, you want to do some freshness tests. You want to grab those branches, make sure the needles don't fall out. You want to tap it on the ground and make sure that needles don't rain down. And when you get it home, water, water, water. That's what your Christmas tree is going to need," said Vallese.
And while maintenance is important, "One of the things that you do need to pay attention to are the lights that you put on your tree," reminded Vallese. "You know, last year, you probably balled them up and threw them in a box. Now when you're taking them out this year, make sure the cords aren't frayed and the light socket diminishes. And if they are, go buy yourself some new lights. You just don't want to that I can take that chance at all."
The CPSC also suggests using only lights that have been tested for safety by a nationally-recognized testing laboratory, such as UL or ETL/ITSNA.
And while many people like to light scented or decorative candles during the holiday season, those can also be lethal if precautions are not taken.
"One hundred and seventy people die each year because of candle fires. There's about 14,000 of those fires," said Vallese. "So, if you are lighting a candle, make sure that it's up high out of the reach of children. Make sure that it's out of the tail swinging of the family dog. And each and every time you leave the room when it's unattended, you need to blow it out because you just don't know what's going to happen with one of those."
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