Six Tips for Christmas Tree Fire Prevention and How to Recover If Fire Damage Occurs

12/17/2021 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Waxahachie/Midlothian provides homeowners with a guide for preventing and recovering from fire damage caused by a Christmas tree fire.

SERVPRO of Waxahachie/Midlothian knows how traumatic a fire damage disaster can be during the holiday season. The unexpected and unwanted disaster interrupts busy schedules, guests coming and going, and time together with family. The team of service professionals at SERVPRO of Waxahachie/Midlothian offers this guide to preventing and recovering from a Christmas tree fire. The goal is to make sure that everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Facts About Christmas Tree Fires

According to the NIST National Fire Research Laboratory, “Every year in the U.S., fire departments respond to an estimated 210 home fires involving Christmas trees. Even though Christmas tree fires are infrequent, when they occur, they can be dangerous and costly. These fires cause an annual average of 6 civilian deaths, 16 civilian injuries, and $16.2 million in property damage.”

Thankfully, Christmas tree fires have been steadily declining in frequency from an all-time high of nearly 850 incidents in 1980. However, Christmas tree fires are still too common, especially in light of the fact that these types of fires are preventable.

Approximately one in four Christmas tree fires results from electrical issues or from the tree being placed too close to a heat source such as a radiator, fireplace, or candles. About half of all Christmas decoration fires are caused by the decorations being placed in close proximity to a fireplace or other heat source.

A Guide to Preventing Christmas Tree Fires

By following these simple prevention tips, homeowners can prevent most Christmas tree fires.

1. Inspect all Christmas tree lights before hanging them on the tree. Strands with frayed, chewed, or cracked cords should be discarded. Loose or broken bulbs should be replaced with bulbs of the same wattage.
2. Be careful not to exceed the manufacturer’s recommended maximum number of light strands that can be connected. Limit traditional incandescent Christmas lights to two strands. LED Christmas lights use much less energy which increases the number of light strands that can be connected. The best practice is to follow the instructions that come with the lights.
3. Practice extension cord safety. Feel extension cords to ensure they are not warm or hot. Avoid running extension cords under the tree skirt or area rugs.
4. Always unplug lights before leaving home or going to bed.
5. Take good care of the Christmas tree. Select the freshest tree possible. The needles should be firmly attached to the branches. Sap on the trunk is an indication of freshness. Immediately water the tree. Keep it well-watered for as long as it is in use.
6. Significantly reduce the likelihood of fire by keeping the Christmas tree and Christmas decorations a safe distance from heat sources. An artificial tree is much safer than a real Christmas tree.

What to Do in Case of a House Fire During the Holidays

Fire and smoke damage during the holidays is traumatic and disruptive. In the aftermath of a house fire, contact a reputable and well-established fire, smoke, and water damage restoration company to handle the cleanup and repair process.

Homeowners and businesses are encouraged to pre-qualify a property damage restoration company before a disaster strikes. An established relationship with SERVPRO of Waxahachie/Midlothian offers many benefits.

• When a disaster strikes, only one call is needed to dispatch a restoration company to the disaster scene.
• The property owner is confident that the restoration company is competent because it has been thoroughly vetted.
• The cleanup and restoration process can begin more quickly because the service provider already has vital information about the location.

A client of SERVPRO of Waxahachie/Midlothian posted the following review of the damage restoration company’s services: “Exceptional customer service, professional employees and timely service. Highly recommend this company.”

Since 2000, SERVPRO of Waxahachie/Midlothian has been serving the area, and the company is locally owned. In addition, the damage restoration company is backed by a nationwide system of qualified franchisees. Being centrally located in Ellis County means that SERVPRO of Waxahachie/Midlothian can offer a rapid response time since technicians are within a thirty-minute drive or less of any location in the community. The team of restoration experts specializes in residential, commercial, and large-scale disaster cleanup and restoration.

For more details about fire damage restoration in Midlothian, TX, contact SERVPRO of Waxahachie/Midlothian by email at acarey@SERVPRO10932.com. The office can also be reached by calling (972) 935-0827.