5 ways to prevent Christmas tree fires

1) When choosing a tree, look for one that is fresh and has green needles that don’t fall out. Brownish needles mean the tree is dried out and more prone to catch fire.

2) Water your tree daily to prevent it from drying out.

3) Check the manufacturer’s labels to ensure you use only lights and decorations that are flame-retardant. Look for a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories, Intertek or the Canadian Standards Association, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

4) Check holiday lights for frayed wires or excessive wear.

5) Don’t connect more than three strands of mini-string sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs.