If you've ever experienced a decorated Christmas tree tipping over, you know just how messy, expensive, and damaging this situation can be. Moreover, an unsteady Christmas tree poses a real safety threat in your home, especially if you have pets or small children. This is why choosing the right stand for your Christmas tree is so very critical.

Millions of Americans display live Christmas trees in their homes each year, and many families never give a second thought to the tree stand they use. They simply pick out a stand at their local tree farm or hardware store, often choosing the least expensive option, and simply assume it will hold the tree without a problem. But the truth is, falling trees cause many fires, personal injuries, and property damage claims every year. Not only do your valuable ornaments break, but woodwork, walls, and flooring are often scratched, and floors and carpets are damaged from water that spills out of the tree's reservoir. Furthermore, if the tree falls on a pet or child, tragedy can occur. In any case, it's always a good idea to make sure that you have an appropriately sized tree stand for the Christmas tree you are displaying.

The first consideration when choosing a tree stand is always the height of your tree. Many families are now displaying taller trees than in years past, especially with the popularity of vaulted and elevated ceilings in newer homes. If you will be displaying a tree taller than 9 foot, you should definitely evaluate your stand to be sure it's designed to do the job.

The next consideration is the size of the tree's trunk. Obviously, the taller the tree you select, the larger the trunk will be. You want to be sure that the stand you choose has a wide enough neck and water reservoir to accommodate the diameter of your tree's trunk.

Last, but not least, you also want to consider the size of the tree stand's water reservoir. How many gallons of water does it hold? Remember that larger trees will drink more water each day, so having a tree stand with a big reservoir is advantageous, because you won't have to refill it as often. If you already have a tree stand and its reservoir isn't as big as you'd like it to be, one option is to purchase an automatic Christmas tree waterer. These devices are like an additional, external reservoir that sits beside the stand and funnels water into the tree stand reservoir as needed. The advantage of an automatic watering system is that it can cut back significantly on the frequency of watering the tree.

If you are shopping for tree stands and can't decide between two models, let material be your guide. Tree stands made of steel are always sturdier and longer lasting than those made of plastic. And when in doubt about the size of tree stand you need, always opt for the larger one. It's no problem to put a smaller tree into a large tree stand, but you can't put a large tree into a small stand. A good Christmas tree stand is an investment that you'll use for many years, so always err on the side of caution and buy one size larger than you think you might need. This way you know you'll be covered down the road. Remember, having the right size and style of tree stand is more than just a matter of convenience; it's also a matter of personal safety.