12/15/2024
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has found that between 2013 and 2023 fire departments in the United States responded to an approximate average of 230 home fires that began with Christmas trees. NFPA also found that these fires resulted in an average of 4 civilian deaths, 21 civilian injuries, and over $17 million in direct property damages per year. Common causes of Christmas tree fires include: electrical failures or malfunctions, heat sources located too close to the tree, decorative lights, and candles. NFPA warns that the fire risk associated with natural trees is higher than that of artificial trees. Dry, natural trees burn easily. But, if they are kept moist, they are less likely to catch fire accidentally.
NFPA also found that holiday lights and other decorative lighting were involved with an approximate average of 160 home fires per year, which resulted in nine civilian deaths, 13 civilian injuries, and $9 million in property damage per year. The most common cause of decorative lighting fires involved electrical failures or malfunctions.
Of course, we aren’t suggesting that you don’t decorate for the holidays. However, we do urge you to keep fire safety in mind as you deck the halls. NFPA offers several fire safety tips to help keep you and yours safe while you deck the halls that include:
1.) Choose decorations that are flame resistant or flame retardant.
2.) Connect no more than 3 strands of mini-light sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs.
3.) Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory. Check the packaging; some lights are only for indoor use.
4.) Do not block exits with trees or decorations.
5.) Get rid of your tree right after Christmas – or when it’s dry – look for community recycling programs for disposal of your tree.
6.) Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections.
7.) Use clips, not nails, to hang lights so the cords do not get damaged.
8.) Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and make them last longer.
9.) Keep candles at least 12-inches from ANYTHING that burns.
10.) Make sure your tree is at least 3-feet away from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, space heaters, candles, and heat vents.
11.) When choosing a real tree, make sure the needles are fresh and green and do not fall off when touched. Before placing it in the stand, cut 2” from the base of the tree.
12.) Water real trees daily. To find out why, check out this video comparing the flammability of a dry Christmas tree versus one that is watered daily.
13.) Make sure if you have an artificial tree, it’s labeled, certified, or identified by the manufacturer as fire-retardant.
14.) Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.
We hope that you will find these tips helpful while you are decorating for the holidays. And, from the entire Mannington Fire Department , we wish you and your family a very safe and happy holiday season
