Lifestyle Home Christmas Trees 101: How Not to Burn Down Your Holiday Centerpiece Thousands of consumers are treated for injuries related to holiday decorating during the two-month season each year By Lindsay Kimble Lindsay Kimble Lindsay Kimble is a Senior Digital News Editor and the Sports Editor for PEOPLE Digital. She's worked at PEOPLE for over seven years as a writer, reporter and editor across our Entertainment, Lifestyle and News teams, covering everything from the Super Bowl to the Met Gala. She's been nominated for the ASME NEXT Awards for Journalists Under 30, and previously wrote for Us Weekly while on staff at Wenner Media. People Editorial Guidelines Updated on November 19, 2021 11:18 AM Share Tweet Pin Email This year, welcome Santa Claus without flames in the fireplace — or engulfing your tree. As families across the country bring trees into their homes for Christmas and trim them with lights and ornaments, it's important to remember some basic care for your festive fir. Trees will dry out while indoors over the holidays, and brittle branches can catch fire more easily when paired with hot strands of bulbs. It's important to designate a family member to take on tree watering on a daily basis. Early hall deckers need to be especially cautious: the longer your cut tree is up, the higher the risk of it becoming too dry and flammable. Wrap It Up! 16 Wrapping Paper That Will Make Your Presents (Almost) Too Pretty to Open According to the National Christmas Tree Association, adequate water amounts can be determined by stem diameter. Trees should always be standing in 1 quart of water for every inch the trunk is wide. RELATED VIDEO: Joanna Gaines and 3-Year-Old Son Crew Decorate Christmas Tree Together in Cozy Family Photos In 2019 alone, nearly 14,000 consumers were treated for injuries related to holiday decorating during the two-month season. So be careful! Look after your tree and ensure that it's only chestnuts — not your living room — that's roasting on an open fire this year.