15 - Friday, December 8, 1989 - North Shore News

PROPER PLANNING AND CARE ESSENTIAL

Care for your tree

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS often centre on a
festively-decorated tree. To make sure this once-a-year
addition to your home doesn’t introduce fire or
eletrical hazards, proper planning and care are essen-
tial.

Your first decision might concern whether to have a
natural or an artificial tree. In this ecologically con-
scious age, some consumers may hesitate to cut down
or buy a natural tree merely for a 10- to 12-day
period.

According to Forestry Canada, however, you don’t
need to worry that buying a natural tree fosters the
deptetion of our natural resources. Trees you cut on
tree farms or buy on woodlots are bred especially for
use as Christmas trees, and are usually grown on land
that is too poor for other crops or marketable lumber.

Remember, a dry tree is a fire hazard. You can test
a natural tree for freshness by tapping the base of the
tree on the ground. If needles fall off or can be easily
pulled off, the tree is too dry.

Once you get your tree home, let it drip a while to
allow water to drip frorn it. Although freshness is im-
portant. excess moisture could be a shock hazard if a

tree is decorated with electric Christmas lights. On the
other hand, don’t Iet your prize evergreen languish in
a corner. Keep it outside with the butt end in the
snow, preferably in the shade, until you're ready to
put it up.

Before you put it up, recut the butt diagonally (so it
can absorb water), and mount the tree securely in a
large reservoir stand with widespread legs so it won't
tip over. Check the water level daily and add more as
required.

Hf you have young children or pets, it’s a good idea
to use guy wires connected to the wall to steady the
tree. Hf possible, put the tree up in an area you can
close off to children.

Set up all types of trees, whether artificial or natu-
ral, away from sources of heat. Unplug your trec
lights when no once is in the room.

Avoid combining angel hair (glass wool) with spray
on snowflakes: the combination is highly combustible.

. With metallic trees, remember never to use electric
light strings. Instead, shine a spot or floodlight for a
colorful effect.

IT TAKES time to seleci the right Christmas tree for your home. if you choose to buy a live tree, test it first for
freshness by tapping the base of the tree on the ground. If needles fal! off or caa be easily pulled off, the tree is
too dry and may later pose a fire hazard. Pictured are scout Pierre Lameille (left) helping buyer Ron Holton
select a Christmas tree at the West Vancouver Scouts tree lot at Park Royal South.

NEWS photo Neil Lucente

Protect fireplace

with a fireback

IN THE old days, no fireplace was
complete without a fireback.

Being both practical and decora-
tive, the cast-iron firebacks were
placed against the vulnerable
bricks, stones and mortar of rear
fireplace walls to shield them from
intense heat.

Stove plates from cast-iron five
and six-plate stoves were similarly
used. °
While still in use todzy
throughout Europe, especially in
France, many homeowners in this
country have never heard of
firebacks, and are unaware of their
protective and decozative qualities.

From a practical aspect,
firebacks contribute to the heating
efficiency and maintenance of the
fireplace. Placed at the rear wail of
the fireplace behind the fire, the
fireback protects the wail from in-
tense heat and helps radiate extra
warmth into the room.

For homeowners interested in
restoring their homes with authen-

tic Colonial firebacks, replica
American and French firebacks
and stove plates are available in a
variety of original designs. Today’s
firebacks are handcast in iron us-
ing sand molds made directly from
antique originals.

Some interesting new designs are
being created for contemporary
homes, including animal motifs,
such as horses, ducks, fox heads
and hunting scenes, among others.

Before purchasing a firecback,
you should measure the height and
width of the interior rear wall of
your fireplace to assure proper fit.
A size of approximately 24°'x24"’
will fit most normal fireplaces.
However, firebacks are available in
a wide range of sizes to accommo-
date all types of fireplaces.

The easiest way to install a
fireback is simply to lean the
fireback against the back wall. Or,
a stand is available for the fireback
that is free-standing and requires
no drilling.

Cali today for a free estimate

SROPLGA NA

industries Ltd.

North Vancouver

929-6361

PALLISER
ATLANTIC

a SECTIONAL

From? ‘fl 299) ae rrou® 599 &

Aubrey Schneider

“Your Furmture Expert”

MATTRESSES f

UP TO 502. |
OFF |

INCLUDES ALL
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if ‘URNITURELAND|

jC 111 E.3RD ST, NORTH VANCOUVER 986-1361 i= +) J