Preventing Christmas Tree Fires In Germantown Homes

GERMANTOWN, MD — As Germantown residents near the end of 2020, many are turning to real Christmas trees to find a glimmer of joy while celebrating the holiday season amid the pandemic.

According to a survey by the Christmas Tree Promotion Board, consumers nationwide are more likely to appreciate "simple pleasures" and focus on creating new traditions this year. Among these new traditions are real Christmas trees — 39 percent say they're more likely to buy a real Christmas tree this year because of the pandemic.

But if you don't take the necessary precautions, your real Christmas tree — as well as your family's memories — could go up in flames.

Between 2014 and 2018, the most recent data available through the National Fire Protection Association, U.S. fire departments responded to an average 160 Christmas tree fires each year. These fires caused two deaths, more than a dozen injuries, and more than $10 million in direct property damage.

At least 25 million real Christmas trees are sold annually, the National Christmas Tree Association says. Many people who opt for a real tree will either cut it down themselves or buy it pre-cut at a lot. This requires extra care to keep the trees from drying out and becoming fuel for a deadly house fire.

And it takes very little time for a fire to become deadly.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission conducted a live Christmas tree burn to demonstrate how quickly Christmas tree fires ignite when needles become brittle due to under-watering.

Trees can become fully engulfed in a matter of seconds, then ignite everything in the path of the flames. By comparison, an electrical fire sparked for a demonstration on a well-watered tree didn’t spread at all.

Here are a few other quick facts about Christmas tree fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association:

• Electrical or lighting equipment was responsible for nearly half of all Christmas tree fires.
• More than one-fifth of the Christmas tree fires happened because the tree was too close to a heat source.
• 15 percent of Christmas tree fires were intentional.
• More than two out of every five Christmas tree fires started in the living room.

You can prevent Christmas tree fires by taking a few extra safety precautions recommended by the National Fire Protection Association and the Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service (MCFRS).

MCFRS says fire safety starts with the type of tree you buy:

Picking A Tree

"When selecting a tree for the holiday, needles on fresh trees should be green and hard to pull back from the branches, and the needle should not break if the tree has been freshly cut. The trunk should be sticky to the touch," according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services.

Here's how to tell if a tree is no-good: bounce the tree trunk to the ground. Did a lot of needles fall off the tree? Then it has probably dried out — and is definitely a fire hazard.

Residents can also take the guesswork out of picking a real Christmas tree by getting one that is artificial and fire-resistant.

Taking Care Of A Tree

Once you bring the tree home, firefighters say it's important to water it daily and to keep it at least three feet away from a heat source, such as a fireplace or a space heater.

"A heat source too close to the tree causes roughly one in every four (Christmas tree) fires," according to the fire department.

In addition, residents should check that their Christmas tree's stand is sturdy. Keep an eye on children and pets, as they may knock the tree over.

Using Christmas Lights

Before you decorate the tree and your house, firefighters say residents should check that their Christmas lights were tested by an approved laboratory for safety, such as the UL. Outdoor lights should only be used outside; and indoor lights should only be used inside. Watch out for frayed wires, broken or cracked sockets, bare spots, or excessive wear. Get rid of damaged lights and avoid stringing more than three light strands together, the fire department said.

Using Extension Cords

You'll also want to keep an eye on extension cords.

"Overloaded extension cords and outlets can present a serious fire safety hazard," the fire department said. "Make sure that the extension cord is suitable for the electrical 'load' needed. Do not place cords under furniture or rugs and never plug two extension cords together to increase the total length. Demanding too much power from an extension cord risks overheating and fire. Be sure to read all packaging and instructions carefully when purchasing an extension cord and ensure it is UL listed."

Leaving Your Tree Unsupervised

Whether you hit the hay or leave the house, the same rule applies: lights out. Leaving Christmas tree lights on while you're away can be a serious fire hazard, officials warn.

Getting Rid of Your Tree

Although Christmas tree fires aren't common, when they do occur, they are usually very serious, according to the fire department.

Officials urge residents to get rid of their tree right after Christmas or as soon as it's dry. You should never put tree branches or needles in a wood-burning store or fireplace.

Smoke Alarms

Did you know that having working smoke detectors could double your chances of survival? That's why it's so important for residents to check their smoke alarms on a regular basis, officials said.

Like most things, smoke detectors have an expiration date. If your alarms are at least 10 years old, it's time to replace them.

More Christmas Tree Safety Information

For more Christmas tree safety information, click here. The department talks about other fire hazards, including candles, fireplaces, and cooking accidents.