Dry Christmas trees invite fire risk

Wednesday, Dec. 12 | By Mark Grandstaff

A watered tree is a fire-resistant tree.

The United States Fire Administration estimates that Christmas trees cause 240 house fires every year, with holiday and decorative lighting causing another 150. One of the best safeguards against the fires is to keep live trees watered. The fires usually start from electrical shorts in the strings of lights around the trees, or from exposure to a lit match or candle.

But a National Institute of Standards and Technology video shows that a hydrated tree can withstand those fires far more readily than a dry tree. In a side-by-side comparison, fire is introduced to two Christmas trees - one watered, one dry. The dry tree is quickly engulfed, while the starter flame gutters and struggles on the properly-watered tree.

To see the video and for more holiday safety information, visit the USFA's site here.

Tweets by @FauquierDotCom