It’s that time of year again, the Holidays are here and the smell of Christmas trees are in the air. It’s the most wonderful time of the year, right? Well, according to the number of home fires reported in December, not so wonderful for some. Many of these fires begin in the living room, starting with our beloved Christmas tree.
According to the NFPA, (National Fire Protection Association) from 2005 – 2009 Christmas trees started an average of 240 home fires per year. Of those reported; a death occurred in every 18 of those fires. It’s not all because of the trees, other holiday fire causes include; lit candles, decorations, wrapping paper and electrical overloads to name a few.
Fortunately, keeping these tips in mind can help keep your holidays safe and festive:
Water, Water, Water! Check the water level of your tree daily at a minimum. In the video below you’ll see how quickly the dry tree becomes engulfed in flames, just under 30 seconds.
Create Space. Place your tree and any decorations at least 3ft from a heat source. Be sure the tree does not block door or entryways. Keep candles away from vegetation, paper and other decorations.
Check lights. Look for cracks, crimps, frayed spots or signs of wear. Limit connecting lights to no more than 3 strands and be sure the lights you are using are UL approved.
Metal Trees. Placing lights on a metal tree can create a charge and serious shock, not to mention cause the lights to short and ignite.
Update to the latest. LED’s are not only energy efficient and save money; they also do not produce the heat that traditional lights do, making them safer and last much longer. Many Municipalities have conducted trade in programs, exchanging LED’s for old lighting. Check with your local area to see if there is a program near you.
Lights Out. Unplug lights and extinguish candles before going to sleep or when leaving your home.
Clean up. Take your tree down and dispose of it promptly. Don’t try burning branches in the fireplace, sparks and embers can be very dangerous. Utility companies typically have dedicated pickup days and free drop off locations for recycling.
Get out. Lastly, if you don’t have one already, make an escape plan. It takes only minutes for a room to become engulfed in flames. Everyone in your home should know how to exit in case of a fire and where to meet.
These may be common sense points, but with the hustle and bustle of the season, it’s easy to forget to stop and put safety first.
Sources:Underwriters Laboratories (UL) Holiday Safety Articles
National Fire Protection (NFPA) – Christmas Tree Fact Sheet, Christmas Tree Fires
US Fire Administration Holiday Fire Safety. Photo Credit: Stephen Jones
