Watch This Christmas Tree Burn In 73 Seconds

By Jenni Pompi and Autumn Johnson

How long would it take an under-watered tree to burn to ash? About 73 seconds.

Here are some guidelines from the National Fire Protection Association to decrease the chances of indoor tree fires during the holidays: 

Picking the tree

• If you have an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled, certified, or identified by the manufacturer as fire retardant.
• Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.

Placing the tree

• Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 1" - 2" from the base of the trunk.
• Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.
• Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.
• Add water to the tree stand. Be sure to add water daily.

Lighting the tree

• Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Connect no more than three strands of mini string sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of LED strands to connect.
• Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
• Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

• A heat source near a Christmas tree causes 1 in 6 fires
• 2 out of 5 holiday decoration fires are caused by candles
• 1 out of 40 Christmas tree fires resulted in a death

• Do not connect more than 3 strands of mini-lights together at once.
• Keep the tree at least 3 feet away from heat sources.
• Candles need to be at least 12 inches from anything that could burn.
• Dispose of the tree immediately after the holiday.