Did you know that 1 of every 3 home Christmas tree fires is caused by electrical problems?
Did you know that December is the peak time of year for home candle fires?
Christmas trees account for hundreds of fires annually. Typically, shorts in electrical lights or open flames from candles, lighters or matches start tree fires
Help increase awareness about holiday fires in your community
- One of every three home Christmas tree fires is caused by electrical problems.
- Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur, they are more likely to be serious. On average, one of every 31 reported home structure Christmas tree fires results in a death compared to an average of one death per 144 total reported home structure fires.
- A heat source too close to the tree causes roughly one in every four of Christmas tree fires.
- More than half (56 percent) of home candle fires occur when something that can catch on fire is too close to the candle.
- December is the peak time of year for home candle fires.
Source: National Fire Protection Association
- Natural trees should be cut at 45* angle at the base and placed in water
- Place tree away from source of heat
- Use only non-flammable decorations
- Keep candles 12 inches from things that can burn
- Use flameless candles or battery-operated in your holiday decorations
- Use only lighting evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory, such as UL underwriters laboratories
- Inspect lights for frayed wires or other defects before use
- Keep natural tree stands filled with water at all times
- When the tree becomes dry, discard it promptly
Dry Tree: Ignition occurs at 0 seconds; other tree branches become involved at 5 seconds; most of the tree is burning at 15 seconds; tree is fully engulfed in flames at 30 seconds; only the tree trunk and portions of some of the larger branches are intact after all the needles have burned away at 1 minute and 30 seconds (end of video).
Watch this short video to learn how you can prevent fires in your home this holiday season.