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Merry Christmas from Hard Fire!

Christmas is nearly here! Do you have your tree yet? Is your Christmas shopping done? If so, you’re ahead of the game and you’re probably patting yourself on the back for not procrastinating this year. If not, then don’t worry. You still have a few more shopping days left before the day is upon us. If you’re putting up a Christmas tree at the office this year, we here at Hard Fire have a few fire safety tips for you.

Did you know that each year, fire departments respond to a few hundred fires that are caused by Christmas trees? You definitely don’t want your facility to be on that particular list, so keep these safety tips in mind when you’re enjoying your tree.

For artificial trees: It should be labeled, identified or certified by the manufacturer as “fire retardant.” If it’s not, you should not put the tree up (or even purchase it in the first place). If your office has a real tree and the tree’s needles fall off when you touch them, do not put that tree up! It’s too dry and is definitely a fire hazard.

When you’re putting the tree up, make sure you cut one or two inches off of the base of the tree, and be sure to put the tree at least three feet away from heat sources like fireplaces, candles or heat vents. And always keep basic safety in mind: do not put the tree up near an exit where it could potentially block people from getting out in a hurry if the worst does happen. Keep your tree nice and pretty (and moist!) by watering it at least once a day.

When you put lights on the tree, be sure you’re using the right kind. If your tree is indoors, use indoor lights. Inspect each string of lights before you use them. If they are worn, the cord is broken or the bulbs are loose, it’s time to throw them out. And in this day and age, there is never any reason to use real candles to light your tree! There are many electric candles on the market that look just as pretty as real ones but do not present the same fire safety hazard. And when you’re not at the office or when you go home for the day, take the time to turn off the Christmas tree lights, just to be on the safe side.

We hope you have a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year. And if you need fire protection services for your Cleveland-area business, call Hard Fire at (614) 882-2990 or (800) 848-1301.

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