Crime & Safety

How Quickly Does A Christmas Tree Burn?

Check out these tips to keep your Christmas Tree fire-safe.

Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur, they have a higher chance to be deadly than other types of home fires.

According to the National Fire Protection Agency, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 240 home structure fires that began with Christmas trees in 2005-2009 -- a surprisingly low number of fires.

But these fires caused a surprisingly high number of 13 civilian fire deaths per year on average. Put another way, one of every 18 reported home Christmas tree fires resulted in a death. This compares with an average of one death per 141 total reported home fires. For whatever reason, this means that a Christmas tree fire is almost 8 times as likely to result in a death as other types of home fires. According to the NFPA, the breakdown of Christmas tree fire causes were:

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  • Electrical problems were factors in one-third (33%) of home Christmas tree structure fires.
  • A heat source was too close to the Christmas tree in one of every five (20%) of these fires.
  • Thirteen percent of home Christmas tree fires involved decorative lights.
  • Candles started 11% of home Christmas tree structure fires.
  • Two of every five (39%) home Christmas tree fires started in the living room, family room, or den.
  • 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.

Guidelines for choosing, locating, decorating and disposing of a Christmas tree, whether artificial or cut, can be found by clicking here.

Here are basic Christmas tree safety tips:

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  • A fire-retardant tree - check that artificial trees are certified fire-retardant and that cut trees are fresh and adequately watered.
  • Lights must be in good condition and used properly.
  • Tree must not be placed near a heat source.
  • Tree or other decorations must not block exits.

Something important to think about if you purchase a live Christmas tree: what will you do with it after Christmas? If you plan to plant it, here are some things to keep in mind:

  • It is illegal to plant a tree on public land without permission. Not all trees are appropriate in all parks, and introducing a nursery-grown tree can harm the environment by introducing a non-native species, spreading insects or diseases, or increasing fire danger.
  • Pines and other popular Christmas tree species are not native to Southern California and they often fail to thrive without extra care and irrigation.
  • Pines, cypresses and junipers should not be planted within 30 feet of your home due to increased fire hazard.

Candles are traditionally used in Hanukka menorahs and Kwanzaa kinaras. Make sure your menorah or kinara is sturdy and placed on a stable surface away from drapes or any combustible item.

Falls are also a problem. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Prevention, between 2000 and 2003, more than 17,000 people each year end up in the emergency room because of holiday decorating-related falls. Four in 10 fell off a ladder.

  • Two simple tips for avoiding holiday falls are:
  • Use ladders and step stools safely
  • Never climb if you've been drinking.

The preceding information was provided by the .


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