10 Easy Tips to Care for Your Christmas Tree

With Christmas just a few weeks away, many families are starting to buy and decorate their Christmas trees.

The National Christmas Tree Association wants customers to keep a few safety tips in mind when they purchase their tree. Consumers also need to know how to care for it once it's in their home.

• Select a tree in good condition.
• Make a fresh cut on the trunk and place in water within 6 to 8 hours.
• If necessary to store temporarily, store in water in a cool location.
• Display indoors in a stand adequate to hold the tree securely and provide an adequate water capacity—at least one quart for each inch of stem diameter.
• Check the water level daily and replenish as needed to maintain the water level above the bottom of the tree trunk.
• Display tree away from heat sources that may cause tree to dry.
• Use only listed lights that produce low heat.
• Inspect lights before using and replace if wiring is worn or frayed.
• Do not overload electrical circuits.
• Monitor tree for freshness. If it becomes dry, remove it from home immediately and dispose of properly.

Share your tree-caring tips in the comments.