Time to Take the Tree Down!

1/12/2022 (Permalink)

We get it, you like Christmas. In fact, you like it so much that you still have your Christmas tree up! If this is you, we recommend taking your tree down ASAP (if you have a real tree). Dried out Christmas trees are a major fire hazard we see constantly. 

According to the National Fire Protection Association, an average of 160 homes fires are started by Christmas trees, resulting in up to $10 million in property damage annually. The primary causes of such fires are lighting or electrical equipment. Nearly one in five Christmas tree fires were started by decorative lighting.  

Dried out or dead trees increase the chances of fire occurring. A dried-out Christmas tree typically takes less than a minute to burn whereas a well-watered tree can take several minutes to fully burn. Within 70 seconds, an entire room can become engulfed in flames by a flashover. A flashover is a near-simultaneous ignition of most of the directly exposed combustible material in an enclosed area.  

Real Christmas trees are three times more likely to cause a fire than fake trees. If you have a real tree and it is dried out, time to take it out. If you experience fire damage this winter or any disaster in your home or business, call SERVPRO of Glen Burnie at 410-766-1110!