Christmas Tree Safety

Each year, fire departments respond to over 200 Christmas tree related home fires. Additionally, trees can fall over onto children and cause injury. There are many things that you can do to mitigate your risk. Follow these steps to ensure safety during this holiday season.

Pick the Right Tree

  • If you have an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled by the manufacturer as fire retardant. These trees are made of flame resistant materials that will be less likely to start or contribute to a fire.
  • If you prefer to purchase a fresh tree, choose one with fresh, green needles that are hard to pull from branches and when bent between your fingers do not break. Do not buy a dry or dying Christmas tree. No matter how appealing the idea of a “Charlie Brown” tree may be, if the tree is brown or dropping a lot of needles, it is not safe to keep in your home. The trunk butt of a fresh tree will be sticky with resin, and, when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.

Place the Tree Carefully

 Once you have selected your tree and bring it home, find the right place for it to sit.

  • Place your tree securely in a tree stand that is designed to reduce tipping. Make sure your tree stands upright securely. If it shakes at all, fasten the base of the tree more firmly into the stand so that it does not fall over. Before placing a fresh tree in the stand, cut 1-2" from the base of the trunk and add an ample supply of water. Be sure to add water daily to fresh trees.
  • The tree should be placed at least three feet away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights and should not block any exits. Trees themselves do not often cause fires. Surrounding debris such as newspapers and magazines, boxes or bags and curtains and drapes are much more likely to catch fire.

Decorate Responsibly

  • Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both. Make certain you are using the right lights for your application.
  • Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords and do not connect more than three strands of lights to one extension cord. Always turn off tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

Dispose of Your Tree Promptly

  • After Christmas, a well-watered tree may survive 6 to 8 weeks, after which it will rapidly dry out. Be sure to dispose of your fresh tree as soon as needles begin to drop. Artificial trees should be inspected for any needed repairs before they are stored away for the year. 
  • Christmas trees are a wonderful addition to the holiday season and by caring for them properly you can avoid the dangers that they may pose. 

Beth N. Davis writes from Silver Spring, MD where she and her husband are raising their four children.