Orland Park, IL – Fire officials across Illinois are urging residents to take extra precautions with live Christmas trees, warning that a dry tree can ignite and spread flames through a home in seconds.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), more than 200 home fires each year in the U.S. begin with Christmas trees. Many of those fires, officials say, are caused by trees that have dried out after days or weeks indoors.
A widely shared video from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), recently posted by the Orland Fire Protection District, demonstrates the danger. In the experiment, researchers compare a well-watered Christmas tree to a dry one. When ignited, the dry tree erupts into flames almost instantly, producing intense heat and thick smoke that can overwhelm a room in under 30 seconds.
Fire officials say live trees should be watered daily and checked frequently. A fresh tree should have flexible needles that do not easily fall off and a trunk that fits snugly into the stand to allow proper watering. If needles begin to dry, fall rapidly, or feel brittle, the tree should be removed from the home immediately.
Officials also recommend keeping trees at least three feet away from heat sources such as fireplaces, radiators, candles, and space heaters, and ensuring holiday lights are in good condition with no exposed wiring.
The warning applies across Orland Park, Cook County, the south suburban Chicago area, and statewide, as departments report seasonal spikes in home fire calls during the holiday period.
For more holiday fire safety tips, residents are encouraged to visit nfpa.org/winter-holidays.
Have you already checked your tree’s water level today?
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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