Many lots have Christmas trees

Although this time of year is often thought of as a joyous and bright occasion, the Christmas holidays can turn tragic if seasonal decorations are not properly maintained.

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From 2003 to 2006, an average of 240 home fires per year across the country stemmed from Christmas trees, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Those fires resulted in an annual average of 16 deaths, 25 injures and $13.1 million in property damage, according to the association.

Checking tree stands daily for proper water levels is a key step in avoiding fire hazards, said Martinez-Columbia Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Danny Kuhlmann.

"If they buy a live tree, they need to make sure they keep water in it," he said.

In addition, he said, Christmas trees should be placed about 10 feet away from the fireplace.

Christmas lights and candles are key factors in helping to ignite the holiday spirit, but if they are used improperly, they also can be dangerous.

All Christmas lights need to be UL approved, Kuhlmann said. Lights should be unplugged before residents leave home or go to sleep.

People are encouraged to use electric candles because they are safer, he said.

"If they use a burning candle, it needs to be in a large dish and secured," he said. "Keep them out of the reach of young kids and pets."

He said burning candles also need about three feet of clearance around them.

However, electric candles can present a fire hazard if they are not unplugged when residents are asleep or away from home.

"All this stuff is just common sense," he said.

Officials say a key aspect of holiday fire safety is for people to ensure they have working smoke detectors in their homes.

With the addition of a Christmas tree, extra packages and wrapping paper, Kuhlmann said the chance of a house fire could increase.

"December is a good time to change the batteries in their smoke detectors, because they are bringing in more of a fire load into their house during the month," he said.

Kuhlmann urges people who buy space heaters to make sure the heater has an emergency shut-off and to make sure it has about three feet of space between other objects.

"The potential (for a fire) is always there," he said. "Fires are bad enough, but during Christmas time, that's when it's really bad because not only do people lose their Christmas stuff, but they lose a home too."

CHRISTMAS TREE LOTS

Plum Tree Farm

Location: Washington Road at Club Car Drive in Evans

Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

Trees: Fraser fir, 3 to 12 feet

Prices: $20-$170

Snowy Mountain Christmas Trees

Location: West Town Shopping Center near Kmart in Martinez

Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily

Trees: Fraser fir, Scotch pine, Douglas fir, blue spruce and flocked trees from 3 feet to 10 feet

Prices: $16-$149

Martinez United Methodist

Location: Martinez United Methodist Church, 3614 Washington Road, Evans

Hours: Monday-Friday 5-9 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday noon to 9 p.m.

Trees: Fraser fir, 5 to 10 feet

Prices: $49 and up

Young Life Christmas Trees

Location: Former Augusta Christian Elementary Campus at 470 Furys Ferry Road

Hours: Monday-Friday 4-7 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday 1-7 p.m.

Trees: Fraser fir, 5 to 12 feet

Prices: $60-$160

Green Thumb West

Location: 110 Davis Road in Martinez

Hours: Monday-Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Trees: Fraser fir from 6 to 10 feet; live (balled and burlap) Norway spruce and white pine

Prices: $54.99-$99.99

Greenbrier Nursery and Gifts

Location: 4749 Washington Road in Evans

Hours: Monday-Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Sunday noon to 6 p.m.

Trees: Fraser fir, 5 to 12 feet

Prices: $35-$150

Clarks Hill Christmas Tree Farm

Location: 39 Bennie Dorn Road, Clarks Hill, S.C. Take Fury's Ferry Road to Clarks Hill and follow the signs.

Hours: Monday-Friday 2-5:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sunday 1-5:30 p.m.

Trees: Leyland cypress, Virginia pine, red cedar, Theodore cedar, Carolina sapphire, Clemson greenspire and white pine, up to 25 feet.

Prices: $20 and up

Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse

Location: 224 Bobby Jones Expressway in Martinez and 4305 Washington Road in Evans

Hours: Monday-Thursday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Trees: Fraser fir and Douglas fir, 3 to 10 feet

Prices: $14.95-$74.95

The Home Depot

Location: 520 North Belair Road in Evans

Hours: Monday-Saturday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Trees: Fraser fir, 5 to 10 feet

Prices: $20-$60

Pat Utley Lawncare and Landscape Christmas Tree Lot

Location: 654 Furys Ferry Road across from Columbia County Ballet in Martinez

Hours: Monday-Friday noon to 8 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Trees: Fraser fir, 6 to 11 feet

Prices: $50-$175

Carter Christmas Tree Farm

Location: 656 Lewiston Road/Horizon South Parkway near the Interstate 20 Grovetown exit

Hours: Monday-Thursday 3-7 p.m.; Friday-Sunday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Trees: Fraser fir from 5 to 11 feet, Leyland Cypress, Carolina Sapphire, Virginia Pine from 5 to 9 feet

Prices: $25-$105