Suffolk Reporter

Farmingville, NY – On December 12, Supervisor Dan Panico and the Town Board attended a demonstration by Brookhaven Town Chief Fire Marshal Chris Mehrman to show the fire risks of improperly cared-for live Christmas trees. The demonstration used a "burn pod" designed to mimic a living room setting. Initially, members of the Town’s Division of Fire Prevention attempted to ignite a fresh Christmas tree branch, which did not catch fire. In contrast, they showed how quickly a dry, unwatered tree could ignite into flames, damaging wrapped gifts in the process. Additionally, Chief Fire Marshal Mehrman demonstrated safe practices for using Christmas tree lights during the holiday season.

Supervisor Panico commented on the demonstration: “It took only seconds for this fire to develop and cause severe damage in the burn pod. This was a frightening, first-hand look at what could happen to a home if Christmas trees are not sufficiently watered. I urge everyone to follow all the fire safety precautions and have a safe and happy holiday season.”

Data from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) indicates that U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 160 home structure fires annually from 2016-2020 due to ignited Christmas trees. These incidents resulted in an average of two civilian deaths, 11 injuries, and $12 million in property damage each year. The trend over 20 years shows a decrease in such fires, with numbers dropping from 280 in 2007 to as low as 130 in both 2016 and 2017.

Most Christmas tree fires occur in December (41%) or January (33%). Electrical distribution or lighting equipment accounts for over two-fifths (44%) of these fires, followed by heating equipment at 13%.

The NFPA provides several safety tips for those using real trees: select one with fresh needles that do not fall off when touched; cut one to two inches from the trunk's base before placing it in a stand; keep it three feet away from heat sources; ensure it does not block exits; and add water daily.

For more information on maintaining fire safety during the holidays, visit www.nfpa.org.