
CHRISTMAS TREE SAFETY
National Fire Protection Association
Facts & figures
Between 2005-2009, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 240 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year. These fires caused an average of 13 deaths, 27 injuries, and $16.7 million in direct property damage annually.
Christmas tree fires are not common, but when they occur, they are likely to be serious. On average, one of every 18 reported fires that began with a Christmas tree resulted in death.
A heat source too close to the Christmas tree started one of every five (20%) of these fires.
Eighteen percent of home Christmas tree structure fires were intentionally set. Half of the intentional Christmas tree fires occurred in January and may have been related to disposal.
More information is available through the National Fire Protection Association at www.nfpa.org
This NFPA / UL video demonstrates the flammability of a dry Christmas tree vs. a tree that has been watered regularly.
