The Live vs. Artificial Debate
The Christmas tree
conundrum: real or fake?
The
kind of tree that adorns a person’s home during the holidays can provoke debate
as much as Coke vs. Pepsi or Chevy vs. Ford.
When
it comes to Christmas trees, do you choose live or artificial? Do you cut your
own at Goodmans’s or Chuck Hafners’s Cut your own tree farm?, or do you prefer
the convenience of a tree bought at Lowes or Home Depot that won’t shed its
needles, doesn’t need water and already has lights?
Both
live and artificial trees have their advantages and disadvantages, and we here
at Affordable McLaughlin Kehoe Insurance Agency and Syracuse Insurance Agency certainly
aren’t going to try to convince you that one is “right.” But in the spirit of
giving, we thought we’d provide some information to help you make the best
decision for you and your family.
Artificial trees
According
to the North Carolina Consumers Council, artificial trees pose fewer safety
concerns than live trees, but that’s not to say they don’t have risks of their own.
Even fake trees can catch fire when sockets are overloaded with Christmas
lights, and it only takes seconds for any tree to become completely engulfed in
flames. And yes, flame-resistant artificial trees will eventually succumb to a
fire.
When
using a pre-lit tree, always follow instructions, and place the tree in an open
area where a fire won’t quickly spread to furniture or other things in close
proximity.
The
benefits of artificial trees, of course, are well-known. They’re convenient and
often less messy than real trees. You can re-use them year after year, saving
money and saving the environment. And there’s no need to spend time searching
for the perfect tree, since it’s usually easy to adjust the “branches” to your
liking.
Live trees
OK,
so you want the real deal. That’s great! But you’re going to have to take a
little more care than you would with an artificial tree. First of all, pick a
tree that’s in good shape. If needles come off easily when you give it a shake
or a quick pull on a branch, find another one.
When
you get it home, cut off the bottom two inches of its trunk, and fill the tree
stand with water regularly. This is the best way to prevent a fire. Remember
not to overload it with lights and decorations. And the longer you keep your
tree up, the drier— and the more dangerous – it will become.
Dispose
of your tree properly as well. Don’t burn it or put it in your fireplace, as a
burning Christmas tree can be harder to control than other types of fires.
If
you’re a fan of real trees, you probably don’t need us to tell you the
benefits. Just take in that smell and enjoy the season!
No
matter what tree you choose, the important thing is to keep safety in mind as
well. If you do that, your holiday enjoyment will be real, even if your tree
isn’t!
Contact
Us!
At Affordable McLaughlin Kehoe Insurance Agency and Syracuse
Insurance Agency, we can work with you
to make sure you've got the coverage you need, while at the same time using all
possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a
call at 315-437-2821, 315-413-5005 or send us a note at info@amkagency.com Info@syracuseinsurance.com . We
want to help you meet your goals, and make sure what's important to you is
protected!
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