Christmas Tree Fire Accidents
Pine trees are to Christmas what turkey is to Thanksgiving; they are a symbol of the holiday, and a tradition for most. The similarities go beyond holiday traditions however. A Christmas trees is a staple for many homes during the month of December. Pine trees are a joy when they are decorated with colorful lights, ornaments, family photos and details specific to the household. These beautifully decorated trees can often dry out from lack of water and turn into a highly dangerous risk for a house fire.
According to Accident Doctor, Christmas tree fires have caused 16 million in property damage, and 12 deaths, from 2010-2014. The National Fire Protection Association also stated that an average of 210 home fires began with Christmas trees during those same years. Christmas tree fires result in twice as many serious injuries and cause an annual average of 6 deaths.
Water Your Christmas Tree
The best way to prevent a Christmas tree from turning into a fire hazard is to water it regularly as if it were a house plant. When a tree dries out, it is under a great deal of heat being covered in bright lights which can cause it to ignite. Once a Christmas tree catches on fire it can consume the entire room in seconds as the tree acts like firewood on an open flame.
This video shows how quickly a Christmas tree can go up in smoke. It engulfs the entire room in a blaze in less than 30 seconds!
Christmas Tree Home Safety Tips
The American Christmas Tree Association has come up with safety tips for everyone who proudly displays a tree in the living room.
- Getting a tree: Look for a tree with fresh green needles that are hard to pluck and don’t break easily from its branches. The tree shouldn’t be shedding its needles readily. Fresh trees are less likely to catch fire. (Keep them fresh with regular watering.)
- Keep Christmas tree away from heat sources like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.
- Double check all fire detectors in your home.
- Keep pets away from Christmas tree.
- Keep the tree base filled with water to avoid a dry out and creating a fire hazard.
- Keep all your holiday candles away from your Christmas tree.
- Turn your Christmas tree lights off each night.
- Avoid using old, worn, or damaged Christmas light decorations on a tree.
- Don’t overload an electrical outlet by plugging in multiple devices at once. It could set off an electrical fire.
- Any lights you use outdoors must be labeled suitable for exterior placement, and be sure to plug them into a ground-fault circuit interrupter protected receptacle.
Jeff is Here 4 You
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in an accident Jeff is here for you. Davis Law Firm is here 24/7, all through the holidays, to listen to your case. Our team of legal representatives offer free consultations at no risk to you. Don’t wait to suffer another day contact us today!