NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD News) — More than one-third of U.S. home fires involving Christmas trees occur in January, making post-holiday cleanup a critical safety issue as decorations come down and routines return to normal. According to data from the National Fire Protection Association, about 35 percent of Christmas tree fires happen after the holidays, when trees have been indoors long enough to dry out and become highly flammable.
Christmas tree fires are relatively rare, but when they do occur, they tend to be serious. Between 2020 and 2024, an estimated 143 home structure fires per year started with Christmas trees, resulting in seven civilian deaths, 13 injuries, and roughly $15 million in direct property damage. The risk rises as trees lose moisture — a dry tree can ignite and spread fire much faster than a well-watered one.
Fire officials recommend removing live Christmas trees promptly after the holidays and using community recycling programs when available. Trees should not be stored in garages or left near structures. When taking down decorations, electrical light strings should be inspected for damage, unplugged by gripping the plug rather than the cord, and stored in dry locations away from children and pets.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Prompt removal of Christmas trees and careful handling of decorations reduce winter fire risk during an already high-demand season for emergency services.
Tony St. James, RFD News Markets Specialist
A fast-moving series of trade signals from the White House and key partners is resetting the near-term outlook for U.S. agriculture.
October 27, 2025 11:41 AM
·
Margin Protection and the new MCO add county-level margin tools — with earlier price discovery, input cost triggers, and high subsidy rates — to complement on-farm risk plans for 2026.
October 24, 2025 01:44 PM
·
For our Countdown to Convention with Culver’s, we explore how the sea of FFA blue impacts local businesses.
October 24, 2025 11:58 AM
·
As we continue our Countdown to Convention sponsored by Culver’s, we see how FFA helps students and alums like Kat Walker build skills for life through ag education.
October 23, 2025 02:32 PM
·
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer discusses the status of USDA disaster aid, including delays to Stage 2 of the SDRP program, and what farmers should watch for as lawmakers negotiate an end to the government shutdown.
October 23, 2025 01:03 PM
·
U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) discusses the USDA’s new cattle plan, ethanol policy, and the broader challenges ahead for rural America.
October 23, 2025 11:24 AM
·
October 21, 2025 06:18 PM
·
While artificial intelligence, or AI, is reshaping both jobs and messaging in agriculture, CoBank data suggests human expertise still matters.
October 21, 2025 02:29 PM
·
We highlight an Iowa FFA student who is harnessing the power of AI technology to assess stress in agriculture-related careers.
October 21, 2025 12:53 PM
·
