Fire Departments Encourage Christmas Tree Safety This Season

Area fire departments are encouraging residents to keep their Christmas trees safe during the holiday season.

Baxter Fire Chief Matthew White says crews across the country are called to house fires every winter due to Christmas trees catching fire.

“They’re not real common but they do happen, so you need to take precaution especially if you’re using live Christmas trees  ,” White says. “Keep them watered and make sure that the lights on them are not drying out the tree. Make sure you’ve got good good decorations on them and of course, remove the tree immediately after the holidays for safety concerns.”

White recommends people use LED bulbs not only because they’re energy efficient, but because they’re safer too.

“The older, bigger bulbs produce more heat than the cooler LED bulbs,” White says. “If you can reduce any heat or drying source on a real Christmas tree, it’s always better.”

White reminds residents to check their smoke alarm batteries during the holiday season to avoid a catastrophic event.

“That’s one major thing that does save lives, that’s been determined,” White says. “We want working smoke detectors in every home. There’s no reason you shouldn’t have those along with the carbon monoxide detectors for your personal safety. It is an absolute must. These smoke alarms save thousands of lives each year.”

White says residents in need of smoke detectors can contact their local fire department who can install them free of charge.

The National Fire Protection Agency indicates a dry tree can become fully engulfed within seconds of catching fire. The NFPA also reports fire departments respond to approximately 170 house fires per year involving Christmas trees.