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The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reported there is an estimated annual average of 210 home structure fires that begin with Christmas trees.

Analysis also shows that although the number of Christmas tree fires is low, these fires represent a higher level of hazard.

On average, 1 of every 9 Christmas tree fires resulted in a fatality compared to an average of one death per 75 non-confined home structure fires overall. Further, 49% of Christmas tree fires spread beyond the room of origin.

The fires that spread beyond the room of origin caused 94 % of the associated fatalities.

A dry Scotch Pine Tree takes less than nine seconds to become fully involved in flames.  It is important to keep your tree watered to prevent this danger.

Watch for yourself below…

Faulty Christmas lights were to blame for a house fire in Tasmania.

“The occupants of this property were lucky to escape,” Tasmania Fire Service regional fire investigator Anthony Goss said.

“We believe the fire was caused by a failure of the small connection box on a Christmas lights set which has caused it to heat up and catch fire.”

Please be safe this Christmas!

NSW fire service recommend the following safety tips:

  • When setting up fairy lights and other electrical displays use only one item per power socket and don’t overload power boards or piggy back double adaptors.
  • For maximum safety if you use a power board, ensure it has both overload protection and earth leakage protection devices incorporated.
  • Only use decorative lights that have an Australian Standards label and follow manufacturer’s instructions on setting up and operating.
  • Check lights and electronic decorations for faults, worn plugs and frayed cords.
  • Inspect the plugs and leads of used decorative lights to ensure they are in good working order. If in doubt, replace the lights.
  • Decorative lights may become very hot so keep away from children and flammable materials such as wrapping paper, decorations or curtains and don’t leave burning candles unattended.
  • Candles should be used in a safe position away from Christmas Trees or other flammable material and out of reach of children. Extinguish them if you leave the room and always before going to bed.
  • Switch off all electrical displays and decorative lights before going to bed.
  • Make sure you have a sufficient number of working smoke alarms throughout your home that are tested regularly and are supported by a written home escape plan in case of fire.

Sadly a Coroner found the fire that killed chef Matt Golinski’s wife and daughters in 2011, started near the Christmas tree. Read more HERE.

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  • Hope this didn’t happen to anyone this festive season

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  • Omg

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  • Wow how scary! We use battery operated lights instead of the plug in ones

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  • How tragic. We only leave the lights on at night until everyone is in bed, they get so hot it’s quite scary.

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  • We hardly put the lights on. Only when we are home and not overnight.
    So scary to think this stuff happens.

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  • My husband loves to decorate the Christmas Tree with Lights but I get scared they look lovely but always be careful and mindful that you turn them off when going out and when going to bed

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  • We only ever have our Christmas tree lights on when we are home and awake. We always turn them off before bed and never have them going during the day when we are not home.

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  • This is quite scary. We haven’t used lights on our tree for years but when we did we always switched them off before bed. Be careful this holiday season everyone.

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  • You can make beautiful Xmas tress without lights :)

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  • So scary! We always pull plugs from the wall anyway so hopefully this doesn’t happen to anyone

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  • Eeek that’s frightening! I always triple check that our lights are off when we are out!

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  • This is really scare. I didn’t realise it could go up so quickly.

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  • I always leave the lights unplugged before bed and when I’m out for this reason

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  • That’s so scary. Important to check both real and fake Christmas trees. Nobody would want this to happen in his own home!

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  • A very good and carefull reminder at a very good time thaka for sharing

    Reply

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