Fire officials are cautioning residents after it was discovered that a fatal fire in Oxford Mills was caused by a dry Christmas tree.
Following the fire that claimed the lives of four people back on January 10, the North Grenville Fire Service is providing tips for safe tree disposal.
Fire Prevention Officer Shannon Armitage says because of the pandemic, it’s been difficult for some to dispose of their trees as easily compared to past years.
“It’s smart to remove them right after the holidays,” she said. “Don’t store them in your garage or lean it against your house – if you’re not disposing of it right away, just keep it away from the house. In North Grenville, there are tons of farms that love getting trees for their animals.”
She says if you’re not planning on burning your tree in the Spring, they recommend keeping it away from any structure, and getting rid of it as soon as it dries out.
Although Christmas Tree fires are uncommon, if they do occur, Armitage says they can be very serious.
“All trees can burn but a dried out tree can become engulfed in seconds,” Armitage added. “So, it’s just important to remember to remove it as soon as you can after the holidays. It’s also a great opportunity to remind people that smoke alarms save lives and that you should always have a working smoke alarm in your home.”
Armitage adds if you still haven’t gotten rid of your tree, the Oxford Mills Transfer Station is still accepting them – with health measures in place.
“People are trying to avoid unnecessary travel, so they might be hanging onto their trees at home.” she said. “Which is fine, a lot of people hang onto their trees to burn them once burning season begins. So, again, there’s nothing wrong with keeping them on your property – just drag them away from the house.”
More information on fire safety surrounding Christmas trees can be found here.