Christmas tree causing house fires?

Question

On American Inventor, one of the latest inventions is a tree stand that detects a fire and will put it out. I saw a Mythbusters show where they tried very hard with to ignite a tree using different types of lights left on for hours and hours, with no success. How likely is this to happen? I'd like to know the actual number of fires, fatal or non, caused by Christmas trees in the U.S. each year.

Answer 1

As others have posted...Christmas trees account for 200 fires annually, resulting in 6 deaths, 25 injuries and more than $6 million in property damage.

This, considering the number of Christmas trees put up is a VERY tiny fraction (less than one percent) so the odds are definitely against it. That does not mean one should not exercise caution by keeping the tree watered and turning the tree lights off when you are not in the house.

This 'myth' is actually fact that has gone through changes over time. Strings of lights today are much safer than ones used years ago. Had the mythbusters used an old string of lights they would have had far greater success in lighting up the tree in a blaze.

Answer 2

I have no idea what kind of tree stand that is. I guess I have an old fashioned one. The only way I know of to start a fire like that is when the tree is really really dry and the lights are left on it all night or day. I don't know and I don't want to find out. It is obviously not a myth, look at all the fires that start every year because of it. I once watched one in the condo across the way from us. Noone was home and the lights were left on. I don't know if the tree was dry or what, but it was a huge huge fire. They had to evacuate the whole building. Really scary stuff.

Answer 3

I do know that some years ago, the plant that I was working in, tried to do a safety film about christmas tree fires. We cleared a section of the shop and put up a tree, complete with presents under the tree. So when they went to film it, they lit a branch, and gave it just a few seconds and then it took off all at once. We had to call our own fire department to come and help put the fire out. So that training film never was made, but it was the butt of a lot of jokes for a number of years. Do be careful, good luck.

Answer 4

Likely causes are electrical problems like old or faulty wiring in the house ,shorts in the lights and too many things plugged into one outlet. Also, if it's real tree,you need to keep it watered because if the tree is dry and too close to an open flame (candles,fireplaces,lighters,matches,etc), it could be a fire hazard.

(Christmas trees account for 200 fires annually, resulting in 6 deaths, 25 injuries and more than $6 million in property damage.)

Answer 5

"Christmas trees account for 200 fires annually, resulting in 6 deaths, 25 injuries and more than $6 million in property damage. Typically shorts in electrical lights or open flames from candles, lighters or matches start tree fires. Well-watered trees are not a problem. Dry and neglected trees can be."

(From the U.S. Fire Administration website)

Answer 6

I'm sorry I can't be exact with you, but I know that when Christmas trees ignite, the cause doesn't usually have to do with the lights getting too hot, but the tree being too old and dry. Never keep your Christmas for more than 1-2 months.

Answer 7

No idea about the numbers but a tree has to be really dry before it causes a fire and that is why you need to keep them watered during the holiday .

Answer 8

No. I placed Christmas lights fixtures everywhere in the interior my homestead for Christmas. Use some thing else beside duct tape regardless of the undeniable fact that. Use a staple gun yet be specific to no longer staple in the time of the wires.

Answer 9

Heres a link. Too long to print.

http://www.polsonchamber.com/pdf/Christmas%20Tree%20and%20Holiday%20Light%20Safety%202006.pdf