SPOKANE, Wash. — The National Fire Protection Association reports that more than one-third, approximately 35%, of home fires involving Christmas trees occur in January, and is encouraging people to dispose of their trees sooner rather than later.
“As much as we all enjoy the look and feel of Christmas trees in our homes, they’re large combustible items that have the potential to result in serious fires,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA. “The longer they’re in the home, the more of a risk they present.”
NFPA says that because fresh Christmas trees dry out over time, they become more flammable the longer they’re in the home, and a dried-out Christmas tree will burn much more quickly than a well-watered one…