Christmas Tree Fire Safety Tips For The Holidays

Christmas trees are an essential part of the holiday season. But they also cause an average of 200 home fires per year, resulting in an average of six civilian fire deaths, 16 civilian fire injuries, and $14.8 million in property damage, according to studies conducted by the U.S. Fire Administration’s National Fire Incident Reporting System and the National Fire Prevention Association.

Christmas tree fires in homes are also more deadly than other house fires. On average, one of every 32 Christmas tree fires reported in homes ended in fatalities, compared to the average of one death per 143 of all reported home fires, reports the NFPA.

Here are four steps outlined by the NFPA to keep your home safe and fire-free for the holidays:

#1 Choose A Fresh Tree

When shopping for the perfect (and safest) Christmas tree, look for one with fresh, green needles that don't fall off when you touch them. You can also go a step further and lightly tap the tree against the ground a few times — if you see a ton of needles falling off, find a new tree.

#2 Keep It Cool — And Hydrated

Your tree has just been living in the brisk outdoors, and now it's in a dry, warm home. Make sure it doesn't get dehydrated by adding fresh water to the stand daily and keeping it away from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators or heat vents. Cutting 2 inches off the base of the trunk before placing it in water will allow for better absorption.

#3 Be Careful With The Lights

One quarter of all Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems. When stringing your tree with lights, make sure there are no worn-out cords or loose bulbs. You should also unplug the lights before going to bed or leaving your house.

#4 Lose The Tree After Christmas

While you might want to hold on to that holiday spirit for as long as you can, your tree will likely be very dry once Christmas has passed. In addition to dry trees being more likely to burn than fresh ones, they also burn much more quickly.

See what kind of tree recycling program your community offers and do not leave your tree in your garage or leaning against your house once you take it down.

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