According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), more than 200 home fires each year start with a Christmas tree. In these videos, Click here, NIST fire researchers demonstrate what could happen if a fire starts in a watered Christmas tree vs. a dry Christmas tree.

 

Christmas Tree Safety Tips:

Picking the tree

• 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 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.
• Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Read manufacturer’s instructions for number of light strands to connect. 
• Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.
• Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

After Christmas

• Get rid of the tree after Christmas. Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage, or placed outside against the home. Check with your local community to find a recycling program. Bring outdoor electrical lights inside after the holidays to prevent hazards and make them last longer.

More information

• “Home Structure Fires Involving Decorations,” NFPA, November 2015
• 2018 edition of NFPA 1 addresses Christmas trees.
• Statistical fact sheet on Christmas trees and holiday lights (PDF)
• UL white paper: Reducing the Fire Hazard of Pre-Lit Artificial Christmas Trees

For information about fire research at NIST, visit the Fire Research Division website and the National Fire Research Laboratory homepage.