Selecting a Christmas Tree
by Mary Ann Cascarino, 
Apalachin Fire Dept Chief    

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.   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.  

 This information was obtained from www.usfa.fema.gov/public/
factsheets/holiday.shtm. Please log onto this site to learn more about holiday lights, candle care and a wealth of other safety information.  

 Or, you can stop by Apalachin Fire Department Station #1 for Christmas Safety and Woodstove safety brochures, plus many more topics.

 Happy Holidays from all of us at the Apalachin Fire Department - to all of you - Stay Safe!