Christmas tree Fire Safety

12/20/2018 (Permalink)

Did you know that annually, Christmas trees alone result in 13 million dollars in property damage? Though Christmas tree fires are not common, 1 in every 32 reported Christmas tree home fire results in death, compared to an average of 1 death per 143 reported home fires. According to the National Fire Protection Association, the top three days for home candle fires are Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Here are some steps you can follow to avoid being another statistic in the National Fire Protection Association report during this holiday season.

• Choose a tree with fresh needles that do not fall off when they are touched.
• Before placing the tree, make sure you have cut at least 2” from the base of the trunk.
• Make sure to place the tree at least three feet away from any heat source. Including, but not limited to fireplaces, candles, heaters, lights, etc.
• Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.
• When choosing lights, make sure they are not for outdoor use only.
• Replace any string of lights with broken cords or loose bulb connections.
• Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
• Always make sure any Christmas tree lights are off before leaving the home or going to bed.

For more information and statistics on Holiday fires, visit www.usfa.fema.gov or www.nfpa.org