O Tannenbaum

Tips for Keeping Your Real Christmas Tree Safe This Season:

1. Gift Wrapping. While many people are aware that the heat from Christmas tree lights can ignite dry trees, it's also important to remember that the heat can also set gift-wrapping paper on fire.

2. Check for breaks and frays. When unpacking holiday lights, check for breaks, frayed and damaged lights. Don't mess around trying to fix them. Just throw out all damaged strings of lights.

3. Wash the stand. Wash the tree stand with a capful of bleach and a cup of water before inserting the tree. Microorganisms can block the tree's ability to drink the water.

4. Make a fresh 1-inch cut. When you bring home a fresh Christmas tree, make a 1-inch cut at the base of the tree to open up pores clogged by sap, which will allow the tree to drink.

5. Water the tree daily. Most natural trees every day absorb between a quart and a gallon of water. If the tree is not regularly watered, a seal will form and no more water will be absorbed.

6. Keep candles away from the tree.