In fact, as you're out shopping for the batteries that will be placed in those gifts under the tree, pick up some extra batteries for your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detector. Now, let's start with that big, green fire hazard standing in your living room. Shake the tree a bit. If the needles are dropping from the branches like flies, press on and forget this tree. Excessive loss of needles indicates that the tree is drying out, which significantly increases the risk of fire.
Dry branches are more sensitive to heat from lights.
Once you've made your decision and brought your tree home, make sure that you've provided it with adequate amounts of water. Replace the water in the container daily. If you have toddlers or very young children, you may want to consider purchasing a tabletop tree. It doesn't take much effort for a child to tug on a branch and send the entire tree tumbling to the floor, if it doesn't hit the child first. Just as Christmas lights can present a risk to a tree and a home, so can any household appliance that emanates heat.