In years past, real Christmas trees have come under scrutiny
for the potential of fire hazard.
For many of us, growing up with the smell of pine from an
freshly cut Christmas tree helped to create the atmosphere for the holiday, but
are real Christmas trees the fire hazard they have been made out to be?
ServiceMaster of Prescott brings you some facts about
Christmas tree fires...
Each year, it is no questions that fires involving Christmas
trees do happen. In fact, between 1992 and 1996, of the 446,000 residential
fires reported each year, around 530 involved a Christmas tree according to the
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). This amounts to around one-tenth
of one percent (0.12%) of all holiday fires.
This number is low! However there is more information to
look at. Several questions need to be addresses as well...
What kind of "Christmas Trees" were involved?
Both Real and artificial Christmas trees are reported,
however Christmas trees are not as likely to be the first item ignited in many
residential fires.
Other household items are:
- newspapers 13 times more likely
- boxes or bags 10 times more likely
- curtains or drapes 9 times more likely
- linens 8 times more likely
- cleaning supplies 3 times more likely
- clothing 2 times more likely
What do these numbers mean?
Each year, approximately 33 million Real Christmas Trees are
bought in the United States
and enjoyed as the traditional centerpiece of the holiday celebration. According
to the NFPA data, of all the Real Christmas trees enjoyed during the holiday
season, fewer than one-one thousandth of a percent (0.001%) are involved in a
residential fire!
As mentioned earlier, fires involving Real Christmas Trees
do happen; but the chance of yours catching fire is very slim, especially if
you follow some common sense precautions.
What you can do?
It is important to remember that at no time can a Real
Christmas tree START a fire. It can however be ignited by an external source. According
to NFPA published material, electrical causes and lamps were responsible for
starting almost half (46.9%) of structure fires involving Christmas trees. Another
quarter of the fires (24..6%) were caused by various open flames, sparks and
embers. The remaining fires (28.5%) were started by a variety of ignition
sources, including gas-fueled equipment and cigarettes.
Keeping the holiday safe from fire is an important
responsibility for every family. According to the California Christmas Tree
Association (CCTA), these simple steps can help guard against the rare, but
serious, event of a holiday fire.
- Select the freshest-looking Real Tree available. Make a fresh cut across the tree's base and immediately place in water. Keep the tree's water container full at all times, checking the water level daily.
- Be extra careful with electricity, all open flames and other heat sources during the holidays.
- Check all Christmas tree lights, other electric decorations and electrical appliances with worn electrical cords. Use only UL approved electrical decorations and extension cords.
- Place the Christmas tree well away from heat registers, space heaters, fire places and wood stoves.
- Place the Christmas tree well clear of doors--keep the emergency escape route clear of trees, packages and furniture.
- Unplug tree lights and other decorations when out of the room or sleeping.
Don't let the very slim chance of a fire involving your
Christmas tree keep you from enjoying the life, fragrance and tradition that
real trees bring to your holiday celebration. A traditional Christmas begins
with a Real Tree.
We hope that these suggestions will help during your holiday
plans for this year or for many years in the future!
In the unfortunate event that a residential fire does
happen, contact ServiceMaster of Prescott after the fire is out so we can start
with the fire restoration and helping you to put your life back together...
For questions or comments please contact us at 928-445-9205 or
visit us at http://www.servicemasterofprescott.com/fire-restoration-in-prescott
