The Knoxville Fire Department wants to remind citizens of general safety reminders if you are displaying either a real or artificial Christmas tree in your home this holiday season. 

According to the National Fire Protection Association, approximately one tenth of all residential fires in the US involve a Christmas tree.  For live trees, you should always check for freshness before buying. When buying an artificial tree, you should always look for the fire resistant label. Trees should also be at least three feet away from all heat sources in the home.

Residents are reminded to check all Christmas lights on their tree, and any lights with worn or broken cords or that have a loose connection should be replaced. It is also important to never connect more than three strands of incandescent lights together. If you are displaying a real tree, Knoxville Fire Chief Cal Wyman says that you should ensure that it doesn’t dry out

“If you’re going to have a live tree, the biggest thing is to make sure it stays watered. Once those dry out they can be a significant fire hazard and go up rather quickly.”

Live trees should be watered daily as long as they are in your home.