Now that Christmas is over, it’s time to get rid of your Christmas tree safely. Dry trees can ignite a fire and should not be left in the home or garage, or placed outside against the home in Ocean Pines. A report released by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reveals one of every 34 reported home-Christmas-tree fires resulted in a death, compared to an average of one death per 142 total reported home fires. Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur, they are much more likely to be deadly than most other fires, NFPA warns.

Many locations in Worcester County, Maryland offer residents a chance to properly recycle their Christmas trees once the holidays are over. Folks in Ocean Pines, who are customers of Republic waste and recycling services, can dispose their trees at no charge. Republic will collect Christmas trees placed in one piece at the normal collection place for a two-week period following the Holiday.

All trees must be bare, meaning no tinsel, ornaments or lights left behind, before they can be recycled. We encouraged residents to check with their neighbors, especially the elderly, to see if they need help disposing of their Christmas trees. For people who lack curbside service, Christmas trees can be dropped off at the transfer station in Berlin along Flower Street or the Central Landfill until Jan. 10.

Once dropped off, the Christmas trees are transported to the Worcester County Landfill to be recycled in the mulching program.

Uploaded: 12/27/2016