A firefighter set a decorated Christmas tree ablaze on Monday morning as officials and media gathered at a training building on Tiger Bay Road in Daytona Beach.
The tree quickly went up in flames and sent smoke billowing across the ceiling and out a nearby door.
The point was to show how rapidly a tree can catch fire and to give Volusia County Fire Chief Joe King a chance to talk about fire safety for the holidays.
Volusia County Fire Rescue officials showcase the dangers of a Christmas tree fire on Monday, Dec. 23, 2024, at the Volusia County Fire Training Center in Daytona Beach.
One of the biggest tips: Assuming you have a real tree, keep it watered and check it daily. Dry trees are a fire hazard.
“The minute you buy a real Christmas tree and get it in the stand, make sure it’s hydrated and you keep water in the base of it for the whole time,” King said.
Also, keep it at least 3 feet away from a fireplace or other heat source such as candles. Check any lights to make sure there’s no exposed wiring ― another fire hazard.
If a real tree catches on fire, it’s important to call 911 first (or have someone start making the call), and then people could try to use a fire extinguisher to put it out.
“It burns pretty quick. It lets off a lot of smoke,” he said.
Some homes in Florida have real fireplaces. But people should not chop up their Christmas tree and burn it in the fireplace. Christmas trees burn aggressively.
“Not good firewood,” King said.
King offered advice for other holiday-related hazards, too.
Space heaters often get used when temperatures drop. People should ensure their space heater turns off automatically when it tips over.
People should also be careful when taking down decorations. Don’t move too fast when using a ladder, King said.
“Just be safe,” King said. “Make sure you have some help. And be safe through the holidays and enjoy the New Year.”
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Holiday fire safety tips: Water your tree; don’t use it in fireplace