|
Information collected from the National Fire Protection Association website.
Christmas trees were the items first ignited in an estimated 360 reported U.S. structure fires per year resulting in 15 civilian deaths, 44 civilian injuries, and $16.4 million in direct property damage per year, in 1999-2002. These include real as well as artificial trees.
The leading factor contributing to Christmas tree fires and property damage was a heat source too close to combustibles, with 18 percent of the fires. Forty-four percent of Christmas tree fires in homes involved no equipment, but when equipment was cited it was usually electrical system components, as one would expect if decorative light on the trees, or the system feeding them power, were the primary problem.
The leading source of heat was arcing, accounting for 90 reported fires per year (30%), no civilian deaths, 10 civilian injuries, and $3.8 million in direct property damage per year. Radiated or conducted heat from properly operating equipment, the second leading cause accounted for 19 percent of the total.
Below are some tips to help you have a safe and happy holiday:
|
