Golden’s Bridge Fire Department Ready To Ring In The Season As The Annual Christmas Tree Sale Opens

GOLDEN'S BRIDGE, NY — Some of the most majestic Christmas trees of the holiday season will come from the Golden's Bridge Fire Department tree lot, and this year, those picking the perfect Fraser-Balsam fir hybrid for their homes will also be giving a gift to their neighbors.

From the Golden's Bridge Fire Department.

The Golden’s Bridge Fire Department is getting into the holiday spirit, once again kicking off its annual Christmas Tree Sale on Friday, November 28, the day after Thanksgiving, on the firehouse grounds on Rt. 138 in the hamlet of Golden’s Bridge. This beloved tradition serves as the GBFD’s largest fundraiser of the year, with sale proceeds supporting its local community outreach programs and various essential department needs.

This year, customers will not only leave with the perfect Christmas tree, but also with a checklist of fire prevention tips to help keep their holiday season safe.

The GBFD Christmas Tree Shop will feature a fresh crop of Fraser-Balsam fir hybrids, prized for its classic holiday scent and beautiful blue-green hues, ranging in height from 6 feet to over 10 feet. Hours of operation are Mondays and Fridays, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. The sale will continue until every tree finds a home for the holidays.

Goldens Bridge firefighters will give your tree a fresh cut, trim the bottom branches, wrap it in nylon mesh for easy transport, and even load it into your vehicle or secure it on your vehicle’s roof.

“We source our trees from farms that cut them as close to Thanksgiving as possible, which makes them among the freshest available on the market. The only way you’ll get a fresher tree is if you cut it down yourself,” said firefighter and GBFD secretary Walter Hughes, who has paired for many years with firefighter and department president Edward Canora as co-chairs of the annual Christmas Tree Sale.

Although well-stocked, Hughes said those on the hunt for the perfect holiday tree may want to get an early jump, as new and repeat customers have been making their purchases within the first week and a half of the shop’s opening.

“You can always store your tree on a deck, screened-in porch or other enclosed outdoor area until you’re ready to bring it inside to decorate. But be sure to make a fresh cut before placing it in the base,” Hughes said.

Canora noted that the Fraser-Balsam fir hybrid is one of the most popular trees for indoor holiday décor because its lush, strong branches hold up well to ornaments throughout the season. “But the key to a longer-lasting holiday tree is to set it away from heating sources and keep the water well filled to capacity on a daily basis,” he said.

Golden’s Bridge Fire Chief Albert Melillo said preservation isn’t the only reason you should keep your holiday tree adequately watered and away from heat sources. “Dry needles are a significant fire hazard. They can ignite quickly and burn to the ceiling in less than a minute,” said Melillo.

The Golden’s Bridge Fire Chief offered these safety tips, which will be provided in a handout to all Golden’s Bridge Fire Department tree purchasers:

• Keep the tree at least 5 ft from heat sources like radiators, lamps, heating vents and baseboards.
• Keep the tree at least twice that distance from an active fireplace.
• Make a fresh cut at the base of the trunk to help it absorb water.
• Fill the water well daily and keep it filled to capacity.
• Use UL-approved indoor, cool-burning lights.
• Inspect all light sets for frayed or damaged wires.
• Don’t connect more than the number of light sets recommended by the manufacturer.
• Don’t overload extension cords, panels or outlets.
• Always turn off lights when you leave the room or aren’t home, and when you go to bed.

This press release was produced by the Golden's Bridge Fire Department. The views expressed here are the author’s own.