We don't mean to be a Grinch but now that Christmas is over, it's time to trim your tree and dispose of it properly so that it doesn't become a home hazard, according to a fire department spokesman.
The L.A. City Fire Department urges you to remove and recycle your natural Christmas tree as soon as possible, said the department's Brian Humphrey.
If you have a green yard waste bin, you can remove the stand, ornaments, decorations and tinsel, cut the tree into pieces and put the pieces in the bin before your trash collection day, said Humphrey.
If you don't have a green waste bin, there are 20 drop-off sites accepting trees one day only. It's Sunday, January 2, 2011, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To get the location of a site near you, call 3-1-1 or visit City of Los Angeles website.
Humphrey noted it's been four years since the last fatal fire involving a Christmas tree in Los Angeles. That can change quickly, he added. In less than 30 seconds a small fire in a holiday tree can become an inferno, said Humphrey.
View Recycle Your Christmas Tree in a larger map
