Why do christmas trees catch fire

Placement matters, McKelvey advises. Another good rule of thumb is to place the tree at least three to eight feet away from any heat sources— a fireplace or space heater, for example. Light it up, carefully. Electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in more than two of every five 44 percent home Christmas tree fires, with decorative lights the leading type of equipment involved, the National Fire Protection Association reports. McKelvey stresses to never leave Christmas trees unattended for extended periods.

Unplug the lights when you go to bed or leave the house. A surprising tip? Be aware of how pets interact with the tree, too. Cats and dogs can chew on the wires and knock over trees, inadvertently heightening fire risk. The longer you have a tree in your home, the more combustible it becomes, McKelvey explains. Ali Pattillo. Other fire triggers include wood-burning stoves, candles, and short circuits in cheap Christmas lights. To minimize the risk of fire, the NFPA has a fact sheet that outlines hints and tips for a safe holiday season including how to pick, place, and care for your Christmas tree.

It's always a good idea to keep your extinguisher in working condition around the household. By subscribing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time. But Does It Work? Culture Ugly Rockets? According to a report from the National Fire Protection Association NFPA , Christmas tree fires caused an average of home fires, fifteen injuries, and three deaths from to Home fires are a serious matter, no matter what the cause may be.

According to the NFPA, fires involving Christmas trees have much higher fatality rates than fires caused by other factors. Researchers have estimated that for every 52 Christmas tree fires, there is one death. Compared to the national average of one death for every reported house fires, Christmas tree fires are almost three times more likely to result in a fatality. The most common causes of Christmas tree fires involve electrical distribution or lighting equipment.