Real or fake? Everyone has their own opinion when it comes to the Christmas trees that grace their homes over the holidays. Whether you trek into the wilderness to scout out your own tree, visit a Christmas tree lot down the street or unpack your tree from a box in the garage, there are tips to ensure you and your family stay safe through the holidays.
Here are a few Christmas fire statistics from the NFPA.
- Each year, fire departments respond to roughly 200 structure fires caused by Christmas trees.
- Two out of five home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems.
- A heat source too close to the Christmas tree started one of every five (20%) of these fires.
- Eighteen percent of home Christmas tree structure fires were intentionally set. Half of the intentional Christmas tree fires occurred in January and may have been related to disposal.
So, how do we make sure our home isn’t a statistic?
Picking the tree
- If you have an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled, certified, or identified by the manufacturer as fire retardant.
- Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.
Placing the tree
- Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 1–2” from the base of the trunk.
- Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.
- Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.
- Add water to the tree stand. Be sure to add water daily.
Lighting the tree
- Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
- Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Connect no more than three strands of mini string sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of LED strands to connect.
- Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
- Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.
After Christmas
- Get rid of the tree when it begins dropping needles. Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage, or placed outside against the home. Check with your local community to find a recycling program.
- Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and make them last longer.
* Free Christmas tree pickup in Boise City is the week of January 2nd. Take your tree out with the trash on your normal pickup day. If you have any remaining leaves to recycle, this is also the day to leave them curbside.
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