Christmas Tree Lights Can be a Hazard

Christmas trees are an important part of our holiday traditions. But they can also be a source of holiday disaster. Christmas tree fires are still common. The leading cause of Christmas tree fires is the lights, cords, and plugs. Be sure all of these are in excellent condition on your tree. Loose or corroded connections in your lights, cords, and plugs can cause an arc-fault that in turn causes sparking in the wires. A hint there is a problem with your tree lights is if you hear a buzzing, hissing, or popping sound at your switch. If you do, unplug everything and call a professional. Also, if you have a fresh cut tree, remember that the longer it sits in your home the more dry and brittle the needles get. This makes them more susceptible to igniting from the heat of the lights.