The Best Ways to Dispose of a Christmas Tree
The holiday season has come to an end and it’s time for you to take down the Christmas tree. But what exactly should you do with it after it’s out of your home? Keep reading for our tips on how you can responsibly and safely dispose of a live Christmas tree.
Your Christmas Tree is a Fire Hazard
You might have seen our tips for preventing a Christmas tree fire at the beginning of the holiday season. But Christmas trees still pose a fire risk if you don’t dispose of them properly after the holidays.
The NFPA estimates that 1/3 of the country’s Christmas tree fires occur in January. That’s because by the time the holidays are over, your tree may be dried out, which is a major fire hazard. If your Christmas tree is dry despite keeping it watered, it’s time to remove it from your home. However, you should avoid tossing it into the backyard or storing it in the garage until you figure out what to do with it.
How to Get Rid of Your Christmas Tree
Some cities offer curbside pickup for tree recycling. If yours does not, get in touch with local farms who may take Christmas tree donations for their animals to munch on. Or maybe you have a pond on your property where you can sink your Christmas tree for the fish to enjoy. Bringing your tree to a local composting site is another environmentally-friendly way to dispose of it.
If you’d rather get rid of your Christmas tree without having to haul it away, chop it up for firewood or chip it into mulch.
Don’t Forget the Decorations
Whatever you do with your Christmas tree after the holidays, make sure all decorations are removed before you safely dispose of it.
Decorations, especially lights, need to be removed and stored safely as well. Carefully unplug light cords from electrical outlets. If you tug harshly to unplug them, you could damage wiring and insulation, increasing the risk of shock and electrical fires. Inspect all cords before storing them and throw out any that are damaged. Lights should be stored up high where they can’t be reached by children and pets or damaged by water in case of a flood.
All of us here at Kiser Construction hope you had a great holiday season and wish you a safe and happy new year!
