Fires during the Holiday Season

12/8/2020 (Permalink)

Water your Christmas tree or they will have too.

Now that it is December, a lot of people are decorating for the holiday seasons. For most people they use the traditional Christmas Tree.

For everyone who has a real live tree for Christmas. SERVPRO of Morgantown would like to inform facts about Christmas tree fires by the National Fire Protection Association.

Here are some Christmas tree fire facts that you and your family should know. With your Christmas Trees, the years between 2013-2017, U.S. fire departments responded to an average 160 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year. The fires have caused an average of three deaths, 15 injuries, and $10 million in direct property damage annually. NFPA stated that on average, one of every 52 reported home fires that began with a Christmas tree resulted in a death, compared to an average of one death per 135 total reported home fires.

Here are some three top reasons for Christmas tree fires: Some electrical distribution or lighting equipment like faulty wires or bulbs was involved in 44% of home Christmas tree fires. Reportedly, 25% of the Christmas tree fires, some type of heat source, such as a candle or equipment (space heaters), was too close to the Christmas tree. Lastly reported, that 21% of Christmas tree fires were intentional. Make sure if you are going to burn your Christmas tree, that it is done safely outside away from any structures, trees, or other flammable materials.

Some more facts that were reported are that roughly three-quarters of Christmas tree fires occurred in December or January and 39% home Christmas tree fires started in the living room.

SERVPRO of Morgantown hopes no one will have a Christmas tree or holiday fire but if you happen to experience a fire in your home whether it is due to a Christmas tree, holiday décor, or cooking, give us a call.

Do some research on Christmas tree safety: Water your tree, do not use faulty lights, and much more.

Tracie "Dusty" Nichols

304-291-3434

https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Seasonal-fire-causes/Winter-holidays/Holiday-fires-by-the-numbers