Any homeowner who has ever decorated with real fir trees in their home, should be aware of the hidden hazards of fir trees and how to prevent them from causing injury to your family and loved ones. This guide will provide you with tips on how to avoid the hidden hazards of fir trees and how to store them safely so that no one will be harmed by them.
Why Fir Trees Are Especially Dangerous
The main problem with fir trees is that they drop their needles, which can easily be inhaled into a person’s lungs and cause health problems. While some firs are natural evergreens and thus maintain their needles year-round, others shed their needles in warmer months but develop new ones when fall rolls around again.
Regardless of whether a fir tree keeps its needles throughout the year or sheds them during certain seasons, you should take extra precautions when around them. The most dangerous trees to avoid are white fir, black fir, Colorado blue spruce, Douglas-fir, dwarf Alberta spruce and Siberian spruce—all of which have been known to cause infections in humans.
In fact, it was discovered in 2008 that several people had acquired infections from artificial Christmas trees, each of which contained juniper branches with fir needles on them! Thus, one tip for staying safe is to use an artificial tree if you plan on decorating your home for Christmas; not only will these not harm your family members who suffer from allergies and other respiratory conditions (like asthma), but also they will actually do your indoor air quality good by eliminating dust mites that naturally thrive among live foliage.
If you do choose to go out and purchase a real holiday tree (either fresh or previously decorated), opt for pines over firs since they typically produce fewer airborne allergens due to their unique chemical makeup; better yet, buy an artificial tree without any pine needles at all!
Safely Remove Fallen Fir Tree Branches
In late fall and winter, fir trees are a gorgeous addition to holiday scenery—that is, until one falls on your car. Falling branches from evergreen trees are an ongoing problem for homeowners. When it comes time to dispose of that dead tree outside your house, don’t just call up a friend with a chainsaw.
It’s much safer if you hire a professional arborist who specializes in tree removal to do the job right. Many people try to dispose of falling branches themselves and end up hurting themselves or damaging their property. A local arborist will use proper equipment and techniques when handling a fallen fir tree branch so that they can safely remove it from your property.
Contact to find out more about what help you dispose of any fir tree branches that have fallen during storms.
Staying Safe around Standing Fir Tree Branches
If you are out in a forest and there are fir trees, be sure to stay clear of any fir tree branches that may be touching other fir trees or lying on the ground.
The sap that drips from these needles contains chemicals called urushiols, which will cause allergic reactions ranging from itchy skin, rashes and hives all up to life-threatening conditions like asthma and anaphylactic shock. Even dead limbs can hold enough sap in them that touching them could cause an allergic reaction in some people. Keeping a safe distance when walking around or through fir forests is important for those who have allergies or hay fever.
If you start experiencing itchiness, rash or hives from being around standing fir tree branches then it's time to leave! You'll probably want to seek medical attention as well. Urushiol can also remain active after being removed from a surface by wiping off with your hand, but not washing it off under water—so clean your hands thoroughly afterwards if that happens.
An easy way to prevent any urushiol exposure is by wearing latex gloves while hiking through areas where many fir trees grow. In most cases, you don't need to worry about cut branches sticking into your skin; however – even fresh cuts may contain trace amounts of urushiol.
What to Do If You Receive a Small Injury from a Falling or Standing Fir Tree Branch
For many people, fir trees hold a special place in their hearts and homes. The scent, beauty, and warm feelings that come from having a fir tree nearby often outweigh any dangers they may pose. However, there are some hidden hazards associated with fir trees that not everyone is aware of, so it’s important to know what you can do if you find yourself suffering from a small injury at home due to a fallen or standing branch.
From soft tissue injuries like lacerations and contusions to more serious injuries like cranial trauma or amputation; following these simple steps can help make sure that your injuries don’t get worse and you receive prompt medical attention should it be necessary.
