Artificial Christmas Tree Safety: Here’s What You Need to Know

It’s an annual tradition to gather around the Christmas tree and open up presents. The light in your little one’s eyes when they see what Father Christmas brought them is all you need to want a magical tree.

However, there is important safety information you should know so you can safely and happily enjoy your artificial Christmas tree at home this Christmas.

Keep reading to discover our top safety guidelines to keep you and your family safe this festive season.

Are artificial trees safe?

Yes, artificial Christmas trees are perfectly safe, provided they're used properly and as per the manufacturer's instructions.

One of the biggest safety benefits of fake trees is their fire-retardant qualities. Natural Christmas trees are made of wood, a material typically used as a fire starter. As real trees sit in a warm environment such as your home or office, they dry out, making them more prone to fire. Daily watering can help prevent fires, but it isn't a guaranteed solution and may damage any presents sitting under the tree.

At Christmas Tree World, all of our artificial Christmas trees are flame-resistant, helping to keep you and your home safe during the holidays. 

Dangers of an artificial Christmas tree

While all of Christmas Tree World’s artificial Christmas trees are safe and fire retardancy certified, if you have an old artificial Christmas tree, this may not meet modern fire safety standards. Some old artificial trees have been recalled due to their fire-prone materials. 

If you own an older artificial Christmas tree, you may not know its exact composition, and it may not have a fireproof coating. If in doubt, it pays to purchase a new tree.

Artificial Christmas tree safety tips

Choosing an artificial Christmas tree for your home is a great investment and something you can enjoy decorating every year with your family! Here are some safety tips to help you make the most of your tree.

1. General guidelines

  • The very first step when buying an artificial Christmas tree is to see if it is fire retardant. All of Christmas Tree World’s artificial Christmas trees are fire retardancy certified, showing that a fireproof coating and materials have been used.

  • Buildups of dust can increase flammability, so clean your tree before and after storage with a damp cloth. Keeping your tree in a Christmas tree storage bag can help prevent dust and debris from building up.

  • After continued storage, check your tree for any broken or loose wires, LED lights, or connections if it’s a pre-lit Christmas tree. Make sure you inspect the bulbs as well. We offer a 10-year guarantee on all of our artificial Christmas trees so you can enjoy your brand-new tree for many years to come! 

  • Position your tree away from any open flames or exits. You want to minimise the chance of it catching fire or falling over. It’s best to keep your tree away from table lamps, radiators, candles and fireplaces. 

2. Decorations and lighting

  • We always recommend looking for LED Christmas lights for your tree. LED lights stay cooler than incandescent ones, and they use less energy.

  • You also need to check to see if your Christmas tree lights are for indoor or outdoor use. If you want to decorate your garden with sparkling lights, you need to use outdoor Christmas lights. Only use lights that have a British standard safety marking.

  • When inspecting old lights, check them to see if they are in working condition. Look for signs of torn or frayed wiring, bulbs that no longer work, and insecure connections. If you have older Christmas tree lights, consider getting newer ones with updated safety standards.

  • Avoid overdecorating your tree. Too many lights or ornaments may cause the tree to collapse. Any hanging Christmas tree decorations must also be clear of heat sources.

  • When arranging your lights, do not connect lots of light strings in a row. Lights in series create a combined voltage equivalent to the individual voltages of each string, which will strain your plug sockets.

  • At night, make sure you turn off all of the Christmas lights. Periodically check the socket to see that everything is plugged in completely. Wiring that isn't fully plugged in can lead to fire and electrical hazards. Timer-based lights can be a life-saver here. Literally.

  • Keep the manufacturer’s instructions for all of your Christmas tree decorations. You want to install them correctly each year.

3. Fire safety

  • Whatever you do, do not put an open flame on your tree. It’s far safer to use strings of LED Christmas lights to achieve a magical glowing effect. 

  • Keep any flammable materials like paper away from the tree and your presents out from under the tree until Christmas Eve. A Christmas tree skirt is a great way to ensure your presents stay away from the tree, as it creates a pretty partition.

  • If you have a burning candle in the room with the tree, extinguish it before you leave. Wait until the wick embers stop glowing before you leave. Even the tiniest lit ember can lead to a fire.

  • If you have lit candles, always use a candle holder. Choose one with a steady base and wax collector to keep your furnishings clean and fire-free.

  • Make sure any fire alarms and smoke detectors you have are fully working on a regular basis.

4. Child and pet safety

  • If you have kids at home, set some ground rules for being safe near the Christmas tree. Make sure they understand how important it is to refrain from messing with decorations or pulling at the tree's branches (you can use the power of Santa's naughty list as a deterrent if needed)!

  • Set rules to keep your children from playing with wires. If you have pets, baby gates may help prevent them from chewing or removing Christmas baubles from your tree.

  • If you have candles, only light them in rooms with adult supervision. Store any unlit candles away from your child’s rooms as well. It goes without saying to keep any lighters or matches out of their reach.

  • To keep pets safe, avoid putting edible decorations on the lower branches of your tree. Stand your tree on a side table or somewhere above floor level if possible, so they don't run into it by accident. Put the tree up without any decorations for a couple of days until your pet becomes familiar with it. For more advice, read our guide on how to dog-proof a Christmas tree.

What to do in an emergency

If your Christmas tree catches fire and you don’t feel able to put it out, call 999 for assistance. Never attempt to extinguish an electrical fire with water, as this can make the fire spread even faster. 

Smaller tree decorations can be a choking hazard for young children, and certain substances are toxic to dogs and cats. If a child or animal ingests part of your Christmas tree or a decoration, seek medical or veterinary help. 

Get the perfect Christmas tree from Christmas Tree World

The holiday season is one of festive cheer and quality time spent with family and friends, and having the perfect Christmas tree as the centrepiece of your celebrations can make all the difference.

Whether you like bushy Christmas trees, tall Christmas trees, pre-lit Christmas trees, or snowy Christmas trees, you're sure to find the one that's right for your home here at Christmas Tree World.

We even have ultra-realistic artificial Christmas trees that look just like natural trees, so you can enjoy the best of both worlds!

Explore our collection of high-quality artificial trees, decorations, lights, wreaths and garlands, and outdoor decorations to have yourself a merry (and safe) little Christmas this year.

FAQs

Is an artificial tree safer than a real tree?

Most artificial trees are made from non-combustible materials, meaning they're less of a fire hazard than real Christmas trees. When the branches, trunk, and needles of a spruce or fir tree dry out, they become increasingly likely to catch fire, so they can pose a greater risk than artificial trees. Read our blog on real vs. artificial Christmas trees for more information.

Is it safe to leave artificial Christmas tree lights on?

Christmas tree lights, even LED ones, can get warm when left on for long periods, causing a potential fire hazard. Whether you have an artificial or a real tree, it's best to turn the lights off when you go to bed at night or when you leave the house (just like you would with other lights around your home). This will help you save energy and ensure that your illuminated tree isn't left unattended.