Dry trees and unsafe ornaments or lights can pose many holiday hazards. Ohio State Fire Marshal Stephen Woltz offers precautions for residents keeping live, cut tress in their homes.

Dry trees and unsafe ornaments or lights can pose many holiday hazards. Ohio State Fire Marshal Stephen Woltz offers precautions for residents keeping live, cut tress in their homes.
Select a tree with a trunk that feels sticky to the touch and needles that do not fall off easily when branches are bounced or moved.
Cut an inch off the bottom of the trunk before placing it in a tree stand. Check daily to make sure the stand is filled with water.
Position the tree away from heat sources, including heating vents, fireplaces, space heaters and candles.
Inspect strings of lights for frayed wires, gaps in insulation and excessive kinking or wear.
Do not overload electrical outlets or connect more than three light strands together. Turn holiday lights off when the house is empty or the family is asleep.
Use only nonflammable decorations.
Dispose of the tree promptly by taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away by a community pickup service.
Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or wood-burning stove. They can cause hazardous creosote buildup in the chimney.
Source: Ohio State Fire Marshal