VIDEO: The American Christmas Tree Association warns of a looming shortage in trees and ornaments this year as supply chain problems persist. It means more families are decorating early. However, this rush to “deck the halls” could send fire departments out on more calls.
“Typically during this time of year, we do see an increase in our fire calls,” said Northwest Fire District Capt. Levi Cranford. “A lot of it has to do with the cooler weather that we see. Sometimes it has to do with people lighting candles for the holidays, or it could be people heating their homes inappropriately by using their stove. We also see space heater incidents.”
Cranford says if you are planning to put up a live tree this year, the sooner you buy it, the sooner it’s going to dry out.
He urges families to pick the freshest tree and always keep water in the tree basin.