After-Christmas sales aren’t the only thing to watch for once the holiday season ends. You should also be aware of a serious post-holiday hazard – keeping a dried out Christmas tree in your home or stored in a garage! Dried out Christmas trees are a fire hazard and should be disposed of promptly. According to the National Fire Protection Association, nearly 40 percent of Christmas tree home fires occur in January. When it comes to proper tree disposal, there are several environmentally sound ways to do so, including:
- Drop off at recycling centers;
- Curbside pick-up; and
- Mulching programs.
Do not attempt to burn your Christmas tree in a fireplace or wood stove as a means of disposal! This may result in a chimney fire as a burning tree is hard to control and may burn faster than expected.