Christmas Tree Safety

Chrismas tree fires are rare but each year fire departments respond to an average of 210 structure fires caused by Christmas trees. 48% of home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems and 27% are caused by a heat source too close to the tree.

The National Fire Protection Association has published the following safety guidlines to help make your holiday season safe.

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 1–2” from the base of the trunk. (Casella's does this for you!)

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, but not both

Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb connections. Connect no more than three strands of mini string sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs.

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 when it begins dropping needles. 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.