‘Tis the season for holiday safety: Fire demonstration to show how quickly a dry Christmas tree can burn

The holiday season is here, a time to enjoy spending time with family and friends and decking the halls with beautiful Christmas decorations. 

To make sure your family has fun and stays safe this Christmas, Chief State Fire Marshal Brian Taylor and Office of State Fire Marshal staff along with Southern Pines Fire and Rescue, will host a live Christmas tree fire demonstration on Friday, Dec. 8. The goal is to reinforce home fire safety efforts during the holiday season by showing just how quickly a dry Christmas tree can burn and spread flames throughout a room.

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), U.S. fire departments respond annually to an average of 200 structure fires caused by Christmas trees. About 25% of Christmas tree fires are caused by either electrical problems or heat sources like candles or radiators that are kept too close to the tree. Additionally, about half of holiday decoration fires occur because decorations are placed too close to a heat source.

Here are the details for Friday’s live Christmas tree fire demonstration:

WHO:
Chief State Fire Marshal Brian Taylor, Safe Kids N.C., and Southern Pines Fire and Rescue

WHAT:    
Christmas tree fire demonstration

WHEN:    
Friday, Dec. 8
10 a.m.

WHERE:    
Southern Pines Station No. 2
7850 N.C. 22, Carthage, N.C. 28327

WHY:    
To reinforce holiday safety tips by showing just how quickly a dry Christmas tree can burn and spread flames throughout a room.