Nowadays most Irish households opt for an artificial Christmas tree but there are some season lovers out there who love the smell of a real tree and make shopping for one part of their family traditions.
And with a real tree comes real responsibility.
A video re-circulating the Internet shows how quickly a Christmas tree can burst into flames if not well watered.
Released by the National Fire Protection Association in the United States, the video shows a side-by-side comparison of two trees on fire: one has been watered, the other has not.
In a matter of 30 seconds, the dry tree causes devastation.
Dublin Fire Brigade have also taken to Twitter to issue a reminder to households to always switch off your Christmas lights when you leave your house.
They also attached a video of what could easily happen to your Christmas lights when no one's home.
Always switch off #Christmas lights before you go out, you never know what can happen. This householder had done the right thing and did not leave the lights unattended Vid credit: @kcass7 #DFB12Days pic.twitter.com/OwoNGFmMLJ
— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) December 4, 2017
To help avoid a Christmas tree fire, here are a few safety tips:
- Water your tree every day
- Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched
- Make sure the tree is well placed and at least 3 feet away from any fireplaces, candles and vents
- Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving your house or going to bed
- Promptly get rid of the tree after Christmas