Picking the Perfect (and Safe) Christmas Tree

Now that you have been stuffed with turkey with all the trimmings, it's time to
prepare for the next big holiday... Christmas! One of the most exciting events of the season is picking out the perfect Christmas tree. We will give you a few tips
on selecting the perfect tree, maintaing, safe decor and disposal.Picking out a Tree. Before leaving home to pick out your Christmas tree, take measurements of thearea in which you will place the tree to ensure it will fit. If you wish to purchase your tree from a retail lot, there are a few things you should check for when selecting your tree:

Check to make sure that the needles and branches are flexible when bent. If
they snap, the tree may be dehaydrated and will not last very long. A dry tree may be a fire hazzard when decorated with lights.

Check the stump of the tree. Look to see if the stump is at least 6" long
and is sappy. A sappy tree is a fresh cut healthy tree.

Hold the tree up and tap the stump on the ground a few times. Observe to see
if needles are falling off. Run your hand down the needle branches. It is normal for a few brown needles to fall, but if an excess falls, avoid that tree!

Once you pick your tree, and get it home, prepare it by trimming stray branches and cutting 1" off the stump. This allows for better water intake. For easy disposal afterwards, open a tree sized disposal bag on the floor and place your tree mount in the middle. Select a secure stand that holds at least 1 gallon of water. It is normal for most fresh trees to consume 1-2 gallons of water during the first 24 hours.

There are several Tree Farms in the area in which you can pick and cut your own tree. You can visit the Lebanon Christmas Tree Farm north of Goose Creek at 843-688-5088 and Tomlison Farms in Ridgeville at 843-871-4223. Visit http://www.scchristmastrees.org for more information.

Decorate your tree with ornaments and lights that are safe for your tree and household. If you have little ones or pets, please keep in mind the precautions while selecting your decor. For lighting, it is safest to use UL listed mini lights with low heat. Never use candles or any open flame near your tree.

Keep you homes safe by checking all lighting, ornaments and other decor before using every year. Enjoy the wonderful holidays while picking your perfect tree!