Warning: Check Your Tree's Water Every Day

Nothing smells quite like a real Christmas tree. Nothing burns faster than a dried out Christmas tree. That's why it's so important to check the condition of a "fresh cut" tree before you buy it, and after you set it up in your home.

Chlick on the video from the U.S. Fire Administration to see just how quickly a dried out tree can erupt in flames.

According to a report on The Berwyn Fire Company's website "each year fires occurring during the holiday season claim the lives of over 400 people, injure 1,650 more, and cause over $990 million in damage (nationally)."

The fire company says these special precautions should be taken to help keep your family and home from becoming another Christmas tree fire statistic:

• Selecting a Tree for the Holiday - Needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch.

•How to spot an old tree right on the lot: Old trees can be identified by bouncing the tree trunk on the ground. If many needles fall off, the tree has been cut too long, has probably dried out, and is a fire hazard.

• Caring for Your Tree - Do not place your tree close to a heat source, including a fireplace or heat vent. The heat will dry out the tree, causing it to be more easily ignited by heat, flame or sparks. Be careful not to drop or flick cigarette ashes near a tree. Do not put your live tree up too early or leave it up for longer than two weeks. Keep the tree stand filled with water at all times.

• Disposing of Your Tree - Never put tree branches or needles in a fireplace or woodburning stove. When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly. The best way to dispose of your tree is by taking it to a recycling center or having it hauled away by a community pick-up service.