Leaving So Soon??

I can't do what my daughter does. Sometimes, later in the day on Christmas she begins to take down the Christmas decorations and the tree. If not then, it's all down and done by the time the new year gets here. At our house, Christmas goes out kicking and screaming. When we got home last night, I told my wife I wasn't ready to turn off the outside lights, so, they will be on, probably through January 1st. (And even after that, our Permalights will continue to stay lit, but not with a holiday theme.)

Nevertheless, it is time to start thinking about putting away the holiday decorations and, yes, taking down another Christmas tree. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Christmas tree fires typically occur in December and January with dry trees, and oftentimes due to improper electrical distribution or a nearby heating source. So, if you are leaving your tree up for a few more days, make sure it is watered and that a heat source hasn't been moved too close. And make sure newly acquired electrical devices haven't been plugged in that would now cause a strain on the circuits with the lights.

Cedar City Firefighters encourage safely disposing of live Christmas trees by placing them in designated collection bins around Cedar City to help prevent home fires. With the help of the city’s public works department and solid waste collection, collection bins will be placed at various locations around the city to collect trees from December 27 through January 15.

Those locations will be at Wedgewood Lane and East Canyon Center Drive; Coal Creek Road and Main Street; 100 East and Center Street; and at the Aquatic Center near the baseball fields. Don't leave your tree by the curb for pickup because they won't be. The fire department urges you to continue to, again, water your tree while it's up, and then to dispose of it as soon as possible.

And don't worry. Days are already getting longer and more celebrations will be here sooner than you think.