The following is a press release by the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority.

Each year, 40% of holiday tree fires take place in January.

That’s a sobering statistic.

When you combine that with the fact that 1 in 32 home fires caused by these trees results in a death, compared to 1 in 143 home fires started by other causes, it makes it clear that it’s time to dispose of those trees.

What do you do with that tree?

• Compost it – if you have the means and the property to cut it up and let it naturally decompose, this is an easy and inexpensive way to dispose of the tree.
• Recycle it – many service clubs, like a local boy scout troop, will do a curb side pickup for a small fee as will some recycling companies and cities.

No matter which option you select, your firefighters ask that you please begin giving some thought on how best to dispose of that tree before it becomes a real fire danger to you and your family.