For some of us, it wouldn't be the holiday season without a live Christmas tree.
But tradition also brings a certain amount of danger.
Two trees, same size, same type, one can go up like a torch, while the other practically self extinguishes.
The secret fire departments use is buying fresh trees and keeping them fresh.
Gary Shumilch of the Irvington Fire Department says, "Take your hand, rub the stems of the tree, if the needles fall into your hand, that's a tree that you definitely do not want to buy. “
Shumilch added, "You want to cut off at least two inches at the bottom, uh just before you put it into the tree stand and that's going to allow it to suck up the water. The average six to eight foot tree will drink about a gallon of water every two days."
Other tips:
