Dublin Fire Brigade has issued a stark warning to homeowners this Christmas over a mistake made with real trees that could prove fatal.
No matter whether you purchased your tree two weeks ago or two days ago if it is a real tree it must be watered to avoid having a fire hazard in your home.
The Dublin Fire Brigade wrote on Twitter: “If you have bought a real Christmas Tree it may be starting to dry out by now.
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“Are you watering it? We don't mean with a watering can, but from a base designed to allow for the tree to absorb water from its base.
“Hydrated trees resist fire.”
Dublin City Council published the following advice to avoid any destructive and dangerous incidents due to Christmas Trees.
They advised that “An artificial tree is safer than a real tree as it is fire-resistant.”
You should always check for a genuine CE mark when you are buying. Information on identifying genuine or counterfeit CE marks can be found on the website of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.
If you choose to buy online from an auction site or company which is unfamiliar to you, you may be compromising your consumer rights and warranty. You may also be risking your safety, because the product may not reach the safety standards that you expect.
If you choose a real tree, use it with a base that allows for watering of the tree. This will keep the tree hydrated, greener, shed less, last longer, and more resistant to fire.
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