Christmas Tree Safety
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If you have an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled, certified, or identified by the manufacturer as fire retardant.
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Choose a tree with fresh, green needles that do not fall off when touched.
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Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.
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See all safety tips. |
Watch a Christmas tree fire
This NFPA/UL video demonstrates the flammability of a dry Christmas tree vs. a tree that has been watered regularly. Watch in larger format.
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Carefully decorating Christmas trees can help make your holidays safer. Note: The statistics on this page are based on fires that started with Christmas trees and do not include fires starting with other products. A small fire that spreads to a Christmas tree can very quickly become large.
Facts & figures
- During the four-year period of 2003-2006, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 240 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year. These fires caused an average of 16 deaths, 25 injuries, and $13.1 million in direct property damage annually.
- Fortunately, these fires are not common, but when they do occur, they are likely to be serious. On average, one of every 15 reported fires that began with a Christmas tree resulted in death.
- Fifty-nine percent of the home Christmas tree fires occurred in December; 24% occurred in January.
Source: NFPA's Fire Analysis and Research Division
