Consider Vinyl Christmas Tree and Greenery
for Safe Holiday Season
Festive holiday decorations – complete with a Christmas tree and greenery – help to create the joyful atmosphere surrounding the Christmas holidays, but can also pose a safety risk to your family.
Every year, more than 400 residential fires are started when Christmas trees ignite, causing several deaths and nearly $20 million in property damage, according to the National Fire Protection Association. One way to reduce the risk of holiday fires is to purchase a flame-retardant, artificial Christmas tree and greenery made of vinyl.
Because of vinyl’s unique chemical makeup, it resists ignition and flame spread, helping to prevent or contain what could become a devastating fire. That flame-retardancy remains consistent throughout the tree’s 15-20 year lifespan, while the fire hazards of displaying a natural tree increase dramatically in just a few weeks as its needles become dry and brittle.
"Vinyl Christmas trees offer the same beauty as natural trees while protecting families from a potential fire hazard," said Tim Burns, president of the Vinyl Institute. "During the holiday season, when most parents are pretty harried, it’s one less thing to worry about."
Artificial trees are also the economic choice, often costing less than $100 and lasting up to 20 years. That’s an investment of just $5 a year, compared to $30-$40 to purchase a natural tree annually. And today’s artificial Christmas tree is made to look just like a natural tree.
"Ten years ago, the industry was revolutionized by a change in the manufacturing of artificial trees," said Claus Beckroge of General Foam Plastics Corporation, a manufacturer of artificial trees, wreaths and garlands in Norfolk, Va. "Artificial trees used to look very artificial, whereas now they are very life-like."
To add to the benefits of owning a vinyl artificial tree, it never requires watering or disposal, and there’re no bothersome needles to vacuum. What’s more, vinyl Christmas trees save resources. About 35 million pounds of recycled vinyl goes into making the trees and other greenery each year.
"The manufacture of vinyl trees plays a large role in diverting waste from landfills," said Burns. "The recycled vinyl used to make these trees comes from manufacturing waste that might otherwise be landfilled but is in perfect condition to be reused."
So as the holiday season approaches, play it safe by allowing only flame-retardant, easy-to-maintain and recycled vinyl greenery into your family’s home.