The Christmas Tree Conundrum: Real or Fake?

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), every year between 2013-2017, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 160 home fires that started with Christmas trees at the cost of $10 million in direct property damage.
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Homeowners’ Insurance helps protect your home from the damage these fires can cause; however, it can’t prevent the deaths (average of 3 per year) and injuries (average of 15 per year) caused by these fires.

In the spirit of giving and because Berkshire Insurance Services wants to ensure your safety this holiday season, we offer insight into the “Christmas Tree Conundrum” and advice to ensure the safety of your family, whichever type of tree you decide on.

​The Conundrum

The kind of tree that adorns a person’s home during the holidays can provoke debate as much as Coke vs. Pepsi or Chevy vs. Ford.

When it comes to Christmas trees, do you choose live or artificial? Do you cut your own at a local tree farm, such as Starlyte Christmas Tree Farm, or do you prefer the convenience of an artificial pre-lit tree bought a Weaver’s or Home Depot?

Both live and artificial trees have their advantages and disadvantages.

Artificial Trees

According to the North Carolina Consumers Council, artificial trees pose fewer safety concerns than live trees, but that’s not to say they don’t have risks of their own. Even fake trees can catch fire when sockets are overloaded with Christmas lights, and it only takes seconds for any tree to become completely engulfed in flames. And yes, flame-resistant artificial trees will eventually succumb to a fire.

When using a pre-lit tree, always follow instructions, and place the tree in an open area away from heat sources, such as candles and fireplaces, and where a fire won’t quickly spread to furniture or other things nearby.
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The benefits of artificial trees, of course, are well-known – they won’t shed needles, don’t need water, and already have lights They’re convenient and often less messy than real trees. You can re-use them year after year, saving money and saving the environment. And there’s no need to spend time searching for the perfect tree, since it’s usually easy to adjust the “branches” to your liking.

​Live Trees

OK, so you want the real deal. That’s great! But you’re going to have to take a little more care than you would with an artificial tree. First of all, pick a tree that’s in good shape. If needles come off easily when you give it a shake or a quick pull on a branch, find another one.

When you get it home, cut off the bottom two inches of its trunk, and fill the tree stand with water regularly. This is the best way to prevent a fire. Remember not to overload it with lights and decorations, and the longer you keep your tree up, the drier— and the more dangerous – it will become.  Keeping a real tree away from heat sources is even more important.
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Dispose of your tree properly as well. Don’t burn it or put it in your fireplace, as a burning Christmas tree can be harder to control than other types of fires.

If you’re a fan of real trees, you probably don’t need us to tell you the benefits. Just take in that smell and enjoy the season!

No matter what tree you choose, the important thing is to keep safety in mind as well. If you do that, your holiday enjoyment will be real, even if your tree isn’t!

Contact Us!

At Berkshire Insurance Services, we can work with you to make sure you’ve got the coverage you need, while at the same time using all possible credits and discounts to make that coverage affordable. Just give us a call at (610) 376-7300 or send us a note at [email protected]. We want to help you meet your goals and make sure what’s important to you is protected!