There are pros and cons to using an artificial Christmas tree. First, they are safer and flame-retardant. Second, they make cleanup more accessible and cheaper than a real tree.

Make setup and cleanup time much faster

When purchasing a pre-lit Christmas tree, the process of set up and takedown should be as quick as possible. Rather than fumbling with a bunch of loose branches, all you need to do is fold them in carefully. Unlike a real tree, these artificial trees don’t produce needles and don’t require watering. They also don’t leave a mess on the floor.

Pre-lit Christmas trees come with pre-strung lights, so you don’t have to spend time untangling the strings. They’re also much easier to pack away because there are no lights to take out. Moreover, you won’t have to worry about tangled wires or missing bulbs. These trees also save you time and money, which you can spend buying presents for family and friends. Furthermore, suppliers like Balsam Hill Australia makes solid pre-lit Christmas trees with white lights and hinged branches. They also come with sturdy metal stands. 

Safer and flame retardant

According to resources like the Balsam Hill reviews, artificial Christmas trees are often treated with flame retardants to prevent fires from spreading. However, these chemicals have numerous potential risks, particularly for children and infants. These chemicals can affect the immune system, impair hormone regulation, cause cancer, and lower IQ. To ensure the safety of your family, you should avoid these chemicals.

Most artificial Christmas trees contain phthalates, chemicals that can damage the reproductive system. They tend to last about ten years, and PVC is not recyclable. Thus, they end up in landfills or burned, emitting carcinogenic dioxins. They also contribute to global pollution.

To ensure safety, look for trees made from polypropylene or polyethylene, both safer alternatives to PVC. If unsure, check with the manufacturer to ensure the material is flame-retardant.

Fire hazard

The holiday season is a time for giving, but artificial Christmas trees can pose a severe fire hazard. House fires caused by trees are responsible for two deaths and 12 injuries each year and generate $10 million in property damage. In 2016, fire protection engineers filmed a video demonstrating how quickly a tree can catch fire and spread. Within 35 seconds, smoke and fire filled the mock-up living room.

Most households keep their Christmas trees in the living room, particularly vulnerable to fire hazards. When choosing an artificial tree, look for one with a flame-retardant compound. Also, be sure to turn off lights and decorations before going to bed. Tree lights can get extremely hot and start a fire. Also, always remember to unplug extension cords. They’re not designed for prolonged use, so overusing them increases the fire risk.

Avoid placing them near fire-prone areas further to reduce the fire risk from artificial Christmas trees. Children and pets can easily trip over them, and they are combustible.

Additionally, they should never be placed near heaters or other sources of heat or heating vents. These heaters can dry out the foliage prematurely, increasing the fire risk.

Made of PVC, plastic, and steel

Many artificial Christmas trees contain lead, harming young children and babies. Although the U.S. government has tightened its laws against lead in consumer goods, it is still widely used in manufacturing plastic products. Lead is often used as a stabilizer in PVC. Both lead and PVC are toxic to the environment. Most artificial Christmas trees are made from these materials, so it is essential to ask about the materials used.

Steel sheets and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) films, which are neither recyclable nor biodegradable, are used to make the majority of artificial Christmas trees. Some are created with yarn composed of known carcinogens PVC or PP. Polypropylene, a plastic generated from petroleum, is also used to make sure trees. These materials are not recyclable and are considered harmful to health.

Most artificial trees are made of PVC, plastic, or steel and can harm your health. PVC is made from petroleum, which increases the demand for fossil fuels. When burned, it releases dioxins, which cause reproductive problems in children and liver damage. Additionally, most artificial trees are made overseas, which adds to the carbon footprint.