Give a thought to Christmas fire safety

This editorial originally appeared in the Friday edition of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

During the Christmas season, most people’s thoughts are more focused on items to put under the tree than what might be going on with the tree itself. But the holiday addition, while beautiful, can increase the risk of fire if not cared for properly.

It’s a safe bet no one wants their tree turning into an unexpected yule log. Fortunately, it’s easy to mitigate the increased risk of fire trees pose.

To be clear, Christmas tree fires are rare. But when they do occur, they’re more likely to cause deaths than other types of home fires. According to nationwide fire department statistics, while one in 142 home fires on average result in the death of one or more occupants, with Christmas tree fires that figure is considerably higher, at about one in 40.

Christmas trees catching fire isn’t a surprising phenomenon, when you consider what a tree looks like from a fire prevention standpoint: a large source of fuel draped in low-cost electrical wiring, often festooned with other flammable objects. But there are steps — simple ones — that cut down on that fire risk.

Many tree fires — one in three, on average — are caused by faulty electrical wiring, while one in six stem from having a heat source too close to the tree. To reduce the risk of bad lights setting your tree ablaze, choose strings approved by a certified rating agency, and consider switching to newer, lower-heat LED lights.

Another bonus with LED lights is that they consume considerably less power than traditional bulbs. Both to save on power costs and reduce fire danger, it’s a good idea to turn off Christmas lights when going to bed and when leaving the house.

Some tree fires are caused by direct sources of flame. Using actual candles as tree lights is a dangerous practice (though no longer a common one), and care should be taken with open flames in the vicinity of the tree, Christmas lights and ornaments.

Another essential step to reduce the danger of fire is to water your tree — non-artificial trees need water daily, and the moisture in the tree’s trunk, branches and needles both reduces the risk of a fire starting and slows its progress if one does start. Getting rid of your tree soon after the holidays isn’t just a good idea for keeping the house tidy — it will keep the tree from drying out and becoming more of a hazard.

Artificial trees, of course, don’t need water, but when purchasing, look for a notice that the tree is flame retardant.

There are a few other common hazards when decorating for Christmas, and one in particular that bears mentioning is to be careful when putting up outdoor lights not to break or pierce the wire shielding — and to replace outdoor lights when the shielding starts to crack.

Christmas tree fires are rare, but they can put a major damper on holiday festivities even if extinguished quickly. It’s not hard to guard against accidental blazes, so take a minute or two per day making sure your tree is watered and indoor lights are out when you go to bed or work. It’s a small thing that could help avoid a serious situation.