“Keep the Wreath Red”
Program
In 2007-2011, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 230 home
structure fires that began with Christmas trees. Home Christmas tree fires caused an average of six
civilian deaths, 22 civilian injuries, and $18.3 million in direct property damage per year.
The risk of fire is higher with natural trees than artificial ones. Researchers found that dry natural
trees burned easily but trees that had been kept moist are unlikely to catch fire unintentionally.
Fires involving holiday lights or other decorative lighting with line voltage
Holiday lights and other decorative lighting with line voltage were involved in an estimated average
of 150 home structure fires per year in this same period. These fires caused an average of nine
civilian deaths, 16 civilian injuries, and $8.4 million in direct property damage per year. Two out of
five (40%) occurred in December and 12% were in January. Fifteen percent of these fires began
with Christmas trees. Electrical failures or malfunctions were factors in nearly two-thirds (64%) of
the fires involving holiday or decorative lights.
As the holiday season begins, the five North Shore fire stations will display a holiday
wreath decorated with red bulbs. The wreaths are Illuminated constantly with red bulbs,
if a fire occurs and is directly caused by holiday decorations, one RED bulb will be
changed to a WHITE bulb.
Please use the safety tips below to help us to "Keep the Wreaths Red!"
Picking the tree
Placing the tree
Lighting the tree

If you have an artificial tree, be sure it is labeled, certified, or identified
by the manufacturer as fire retardant.

Choose a live tree with fresh green needles that do not fall off when
touched.

Make sure that the tree smells fresh, feels soft and fresh to the touch, and
does not have any dry or brown/burnt (from the sun) patches.

Before placing the tree in the stand, cut 1" - 2" from the base of the
trunk.

Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like
fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.

Make sure the tree is not blocking an exit.

Add water to the tree stand. Be sure to add water daily.

Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory. Some
lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both.

Replace any string of lights with worn or broken cords or loose bulb
connections. Connect no more than three strands of mini string sets and a
maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs. Read manufacturer’s instructions
for number of LED strands to connect.

Never use lit candles to decorate the tree.

Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.