Annual Christmas Tree Bonfire Celebration Set for January in Mendham

For the 12th straight year, Mendham residents will have the opportunity to safely rid their homes of Christmas trees and help the local fire department at the same time.

On Sunday, Jan. 11, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Borough Park in Mendham, the bonfire celebration will take place and be open to the public. The event is fun for the whole family, including holiday music and hot chocolate.

Members of the Mendham Fire Department will pick up trees and bring to the pile at Borough Park for those who registered by going here. Once Borough residents have filled out a form and made a donation to the fire department will have their trees picked up on Jan. 11. All trees must be placed curbside by 9 a.m. that day.

Here are extra holiday safety tips from the Mendham Fire Department:

• Once you get your Christmas tree home, make a fresh cut across the tree’s base and immediately place in water. Keep the tree’s water container full at all times, checking the water level daily.
• Be extra careful with electricity, all open flames and other heat sources during the holidays.
• Check all Christmas tree lights, other electric decorations and electrical appliances for wear (frayed cords, for example). Do not use lights, decorations or appliances with worn electrical cords. Use only UL approved electrical decorations and extension cords.
• Place the Christmas tree well away from heat registers, space heaters, fireplaces, wood stoves, televisions, computer monitors and other heat sources.
• Place the Christmas tree clear of doors to keep the emergency escape route clear of trees, packages and furniture.
• Unplug tree lights and other decorations when out of the room or sleeping.

Find out more about the bonfire celebration here.