Christmas Tree
 

Provided many years ago in the Cellar was this prescription for keeping a Christmas tree moist.
2 cups Corn Syrup
2 oz Chlorine Bleach
1 pinch Epson Salt
1/2 Tsp Borax
2 gallons Water

Also recommend for Christmas tree lights is something called an AFGI (not to be confused with something different called a GFCI or GFI). An AFGI is traditionally installed in the breaker box. However a plug-in AFGI has been observed in the hardware store chains (Tru-Value or whatever).

An AFGI can detect a shorted Christmas light; disconnect power before fire starts. As was once demonstrated by a Cellar Dweller, a Christmas tree fire can take out the entire house in only 5 minutes. AGFI would avert that fire.

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To correct minorly, it's actually GFCI and AFCI, Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt and Arc Fault Circuit Interrupt.

Seems like standard housing code is for AFCI in bedrooms post 2002, which is not your standard christmas tree location.

A summary, w/ cute animation: http://homeworksinsp.com/electrical.aspx

... and, elsewhere, some cynicism about the tangible difference between an AFCI circuit breaker and a GFCI ... and, here, a lengthy explanation of history, function, and purpose.

I say, turn your lights off at night.

That doesn't sound very encouraging. :eyebrow:

Would not have helped in that previously cited example. She plugged in the Christmas tree. Tree sparked immediately. In five minutes, then entire house was ablaze.

That is what the AGFI is intended to prevent. A plug-in version is difficult to find and may only be readily available in that one above mentioned hardware chain.

Gone in 60 Seconds
 

I think mine would rust or something if I kept it moist.

Nothing says a Christmas tree need be green.

They should make a whole house breaker that does both AFCI and GFCI. I'd pay $150 for one.

I installed a new GFCI outlet yesterday for an upcoming FIOS installation in my unfinished basement. It cost around $15-20 for the single outlet.

A short anywhere in the house shuts off the whole house?

Yeah. Maybe it isn't such a good idea. I was figuring it would be easy protection for everything.

That's done in the UK. In the US, refrigerators cannot be on a GFCI for human safety reasons.

Why? They would rather there be a ground fault and an electrocuted person than have spoiled food?

Far riskier to a human is food spoiled by a refrigerator power off for too long; then cooled by a reset GFCI.

Meanwhile, all refrigerators must have three wire receptacles that make danger minimal.

Do electrical work. Getting shocked is rarely deadly. And then a standard refrigerator has additional connections that make that risk even less. Food poisoning is considered a greater threat according to code.

We used to pay a game when I was a kid. The game was to touch the shielding on a bx armored cable by our basement steps while simultaneously touching a lally column with the other hand. The person who could hold on longest would win.

One day we casually mentioned this game to my dad, and he went white. He fixed whatever it was so we couldn't play that game any more. Well, we could still play, but the fun was gone.

I don't think it was the full force of the current, because I've received that before too, and it's strong. But it was very tingly.

It should be obvious to you and every other adult why that should not exist and how easily it is eliminated. Not acceptable. The classic example of a 'canary in a coalmine'. Typically would have been 60 volts.

Adults are required to know certain simply things such as not using a hairdryer in the bathtub, why we earth, and what happens when too much current goes in one arm, out the other, through the heart. Not knowing why that was so dangerous and not knowing what makes that not possible is a requirement of being a responsible adult. There are certain things everyone is expected to know such as not cleaning something with gasoline inside a house.

Same applies to the refrigerator - why it must be connected to a three wire receptacle. Why a two wire receptacle is not acceptable anywhere - especially when kids are in the house.

Yeah. Well, I was a kid, and it was kinda fun. I know better today. And my dad didn't know about it until we told him. And then he fixed it that day. Himself.

Can I be really stupid and ask what makes that burn so hot?

The combo tree/lights or would any fire burn as quick?

that's scary stuff

Not stupid... evergreen trees contain a lot of highly flammable sap/pitch, not only in the wood but the in needles as well.

It's mostly how dry the tree is... if every tree went up that fast we'd have no pine forests anywhere. Follow the tree recipe posted by tw above.

This year we got a tree from a tree farm, which was slightly more expensive, but I think it was cut same day. It barely soaks up any water, and barely any needles fall off if you brush the tree. In fact barely any needles came off when we brought it in and set it up, which was remarkable.

xoB mentioned how early in the year he saw xmas trees coming down south from Maine? Was it August?

Yes, Labor Day weekend the tractor trailers are rolling down from Canada loaded with trees cut in August. :(

True about the forests. whew...and good for you for buying local UT. I had one of those trees last year. It wasn't drinking water. I thought it was sick. lol :blush:

We bought an eco-friendly tree this year. well eco-friendly depending on which side of my tensil tree your sitting on.

I guess I didn't want to mess up my new car.

well one good reason to live in tree town I guess.

I never thought about where the rest of the country gets their trees.

Trees cut in August! I am barely believing it.

One year a friend had an outdoor picnic in May, and they still had their tree,... somebody threw it onto the outdoor stone built-in BBQ grill because they wanted to start the night's bonfire. Well the thing went up WHOOM just like the video. From 10-15 feet away it was still boiling hot. But only for a short time as it burned fast, no use for a bonfire situation.

wow , who needs wmd's

I'll remember this and be so careful next time I buy a green tree.

I lived in NM during one of the droughts that led to interesting forest fires. The standing timber was drier than kiln-dried lumber. When those trees caught fire they exploded, leaving small craters in the ground. We have had 2 live trees, but they were alive (B&B) and planted outdoors. We decorated them with treats for the critters, but never brought them indoors. Love the smell of pine, but a decorated dead tree standing there is just sad to me. I know, I know, enjoy your trees! We have a fakie this year, first indoor tree in 25 yrs.