BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts fire officials are urging residents to start the new year off right by properly disposing of Christmas trees.
State Fire Marshal Stephen Coan warns that Christmas trees can ignite quickly when they’re all dried out. He says most trees have been up since after Thanksgiving and are usually dry and combustible by New Year’s Day.
Coan highlighted a number of recent fires across Massachusetts sparked by dried out Christmas trees.
He encouraged residents to promptly take down their Christmas trees, which are traditionally kept up at least until Jan. 6, another significant holiday for Christians.
Coan recommends visiting the state Department of Environmental Protection website to find out which communities have Christmas tree recycling programs.
