Farm Bureau Insurance Safety Alert: Take Precautions and Reduce the Risk of Fire with Holiday Decorating

Richmond, VA, December 04, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Nobody doubts the wonder and amazement of the holiday season. The festive nature of getting a tree and decorating your house in the yuletide spirit buoys even the most Grinch-like adults. For many, the spirit takes on a child-like quality. Unfortunately, that same spirit causes people to forget to take precautions against accidents that can ruin even the most festive occasion.

“Two of every three home fires started by Christmas trees and decorations are the result of electrical problems or a tree being put up too close to a heat source,” says Jimmy Maass, safety coordinator at Farm Bureau Insurance. “There are a handful of basic safety measures home owners can take to significantly help reduce the risk of a fire during the festive holiday season.”

Maass’ tips begin with the simple step of making sure your tree is properly watered. Dehydrated trees with brown needles and dry limbs are a tremendous fire hazard. Home owners should check the water level in their tree stand every evening and refill it. Also, don’t place your tree too close to a heat source. In addition to sparks from a fireplace that may easily ignite a tree, the pure heat will dry out the tree. Make sure a tree is at least three feet from a heat source.

For more safety tips on holiday decorating and other perils around your home, please visit Farm Bureau's safety site.

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