One-third of Christmas tree fires in January, says NFPA
By SSN Staff
Updated 12:09 PM CST, Tue January 6, 2026
QUINCY, Mass. — The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is cautioning people against holding on to aging Christmas trees, as more than one-third (35 percent) of U.S. home fires involving Christmas trees occur in January.
“As much as we all enjoy the look and feel of Christmas trees in our homes, they’re large combustible items that have the potential to result in serious fires,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of outreach and advocacy at NFPA. “The longer they’re in the home, the more of a risk they present.”
Between 2020 and 2024, there was an estimated annual average of 143 home structure fires that began with Christmas trees, resulting in seven civilian deaths, 13 civilian injuries, and $15 million in direct property damage.
“Fires that begin with Christmas trees represent a very small but notable part of the U.S. fire problem, considering that they are generally in use for a short time each year,” said Carli.
To safely dispose of a Christmas tree, NFPA recommends using the local community’s recycling program, if possible; trees should not be put in the garage or left outside.
For this release and other announcements about NFPA initiatives, research, and resources, please visit the NFPA press room.
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