If you need some motivation to take down your live Christmas tree, consider this: One-third of U.S. home fires that begin with Christmas trees occur in January.

With this potential fire hazard in mind, the National Fire Protection Association encourages everyone to remove Christmas trees from their homes promptly after the holiday season.

"Christmas trees are combustible items that become increasingly flammable as they continue to dry out," said Lorraine Carli, NFPA's vice president of Outreach and Advocacy. "The longer you keep one in your home, the more of a fire hazard it becomes."

NFPA statistics show that Christmas tree fires are not common, but when they do occur, they're much more likely to be serious.

On an annual average, one of every 45 reported home fires that began with a Christmas tree resulted in a death, compared to one death per 139 total reported home structure fires.

All Christmas trees can burn, but a dried out tree can become engulfed in flames in a matter of seconds," said Carli.

"In recent years, we've seen tragic incidents where Christmas tree fires have resulted in deadly consequences for multiple family members, including young children."

What to do with your tree

There are several organizations that have set up sites for tree collections. Many of the trees will be taken to lakes to create a natural habitat for fish. Some of the trees will be ground to create mulch.

Several waste haulers offer curbside tree removal, but here is a list of what some Valley communities are offering in the way of recycling.

Note: All decorations, including tinsel, garland, popcorn, etc., must be removed prior to recycling.

TRUMBULL COUNTY

Warren

City residents may dispose of their live Christmas trees at Bob's Tree Service, 1052 North River Road. Trees will be accepted between 8:00 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday, until February 1, 2019.

No curbside pickup.

Howland Township

Trees will be picked up and recycling Christmas Trees throughout the month of January.

MAHONING COUNTY

City of Canfield

The City of Canfield offers curbside Christmas Tree Recycling for residents. Now through January 31, 2019 residents can place their Christmas Trees at the curb, Public Works Crews will pick up and take to the appropriate recycling center.

The following Mahoning County communities have tree drop-off locations.

Hours of operation are December 26, 2018, through January 31, 2019, 9 AM - 5 PM Monday through Friday at these locations:

Austintown Twp. - Austintown Township Park, 6000 Kirk Rd.

Berlin Twp. - Berlin Township Bldg., 15823 W. Akron-Canfield Rd.

Campbell City - Roosevelt Park, Struthers-Liberty Rd.

Canfield Township - Fire Station, 5007 Messerly Rd.

Craig Beach / Milton Twp. - Next to Fire Station, 1979 Grandview Rd.

Ellsworth Twp. - Fire Station, 6036 S. Salem-Warren Rd.

Goshen Twp. - Maintenance Garage, 12649 Seacrist Rd.

Green Twp. - Cemetery at SR 165 & Beaver Creek Rd.

Jackson Twp.- Township Bldg., 10613 Mahoning Ave.

Lowellville Village - Street Dept., 3 W. McGaffney

New Middletown / Springfield - Recycling Center, 10720 Struthers Rd.

Poland Twp. - Road Department, 7508 Clingan Rd.

Smith Twp. - Smith Township Bldg., 846 N. Johnson Rd.

Struthers City - Trees will be picked up at the curb.

Youngstown - CCA (former South Branch Library), 1771 Market St.

COLUMBIANA COUNTY

You can recycle your live tree at one of the following CCH Environmental’s Christmas tree drop-off sites in Columbiana County:

Butler Township Building on Slater Road;

JDS Landscaping on Route 14;

Rogers – other side of the parking lot at the Recycling Drop-Off on Route 7;

Salem at Memorial Park;

St. Clair Township at the Recycling Site on E. Liverpool Road; and

Wellsville at the Village Building

The CCH drop-off sites will be open from December 27 through January 31. Look for the “Recycle Your Live Christmas Tree Here” sign at each site.

East Liverpool

The City of East Liverpool will be picking up trees for city residents at the curb during their bulk pickup times.

MERCER COUNTY

Bring your natural tree to Shenango Lake beginning on December 26 at the Shenango Boat Launch parking lot (492 West Lake Road, Transfer, PA 16154). A section of the parking lot will be marked for drop-offs.