Christmas Tree Safety

These statistics are provided by the National Fire Protection Association (from 2002-2005):

• On average, one of every nine home Christmas tree fires resulted in a death.
• Electrical problems were factors in half (48%) of home Christmas tree structure fires.
• A heat source was too close to the tree in one-quarter (27%) of the fires.
• Twenty-two percent of these electrical fires involved decorative lights.
• Candles started 15% of home Christmas tree structure fires.
• Half of the fires started in the living room, family room or den.

Safety Tips

• If you purchase your tree early and keep it outside, store it away from wind and sun, and keep the bottom in a bucket of water.
  
• Make sure your lights are safe. If you plan to hang lights outdoors, make sure the ones you buy are meant for outdoor use. It is also important to make sure your lights have a certification from a testing laboratory.
• Do not use electric lights on a metal tree.
• Discard any unsafe lights - strings of lights that are frayed, broken or have loose bulb connections.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions on how to use tree lights. Connect no more than three strands of push-in bulbs and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs.
• Make sure to unplug your Christmas tree before you leave or go to sleep.
• Do not buy a tree that is dry and has dropping needles. To check for freshness, loosely grip the end of a branch and pull your hand over it. If only a few needles fall off, the tree is fresh.
• Make sure your tree stand holds plenty of water, and continuously check the water to ensure that it does not run out.
• If your tree seems wobbly, center it in the stand more securely and redo the bolts or screws. It is important to have a large, sturdy stand so that the tree will not topple over.
• If you buy an artificial tree, make sure it is labeled “fire-retardant”.
• Keep your tree at least three feet from furnaces, radiators and fireplaces.
• Position the tree near an outlet so that cords are not running long distances. Do not place the tree where it may block exits.
• After Christmas when the tree starts to drop needles, dispose of it. Don't leave it in your house or put it in your garage.
• Keep a close eye on small children when they are around the tree; many small decorations and ornaments are sharp, breakable and can be swallowed.