How to help prevent home christmas tree fires

Special to The Canton News 

For all the joy and beauty Christmas trees bring, it’s important to remember that they are large combustible items that present potential fire hazards in the home. This blog provides an overview of home Christmas tree fires and tips from National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) to help you stay safer this holiday season. 

How common are Christmas tree fires?
Between 2018 and 2022, fire departments in the United States responded to an annual average of 155 home structure fires caused by Christmas trees. On average, these fires resulted in four civilian deaths, seven civilian injuries, and $15 million in direct property damage each year. NFPA data indicates that fires involving fresh Christmas trees tend to be more common than artificial tree fires.

Overall, home Christmas tree fires don’t happen often—fires involving candles happen roughly 38 times more frequently in the U.S., for comparison—but when Christmas tree fires do occur, especially involving fresh Christmas trees, they’re likely to be serious. That’s in part because fresh Christmas trees dry out over time, making them more flammable the longer they’re in the home. A dried-out Christmas tree will burn much more quickly than a well-watered one.

What causes Christmas tree fires? 
According to the latest statistics from NFPA, lighting and electrical equipment cause most Christmas tree fires in the home. According to the research: 
 

• Electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in more than two in five (41 percent) home Christmas tree fires.
   
• One in five (20 percent) home Christmas tree fires were started by lamps or bulbs. 
   
• More than one in 10 (11 percent) home Christmas tree fires were started by candles.
   
• Two in five (40 percent) home Christmas tree fires started in the living room.

Tips for staying safer
NFPA offers a number of safety tips to help you stay safer while picking, putting up, decorating, and disposing of a Christmas tree, including: 
Test a fresh Christmas tree before purchasing it by running your hands along one of its branches. If you end up with more than a few needles, it’s a sign that the tree may be too dry.

After selecting a fresh tree, cut 2 inches (5 cm) from the base of the trunk before placing it in the stand. Add water daily to keep the tree well hydrated.
Trees should be placed at least 3 feet (1 m) away from any heat source, such as fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents, or lights.
Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.

Ensure that decorative Christmas tree lights are in good working order and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, keeping in mind that some lights are designed for indoor or outdoor use only, while others can be used for both.

When purchasing new Christmas tree lights, make sure they bear the mark of an independent, qualified testing laboratory, which ensures that the product has been tested to meet established safety standards.

After Christmas
Get rid of the tree after Christmas or when it is dry. Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage or placed outside against the home.