ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO/NEXSTAR) — With the holiday season now behind us, it might be time to consider losing your Christmas trees, too.
"I would say that it's important to probably get rid of your Christmas Trees within a week of the New Year," Michael Schnaper, an arson investigator with the fire department in Rockford, Illinois, told Nexstar's WTVO. "We want to make sure that they are not dried out. … As they dry out, they tend to become more and more flammable."
The statistics back up Schnaper's statements. In the U.S., about 36% of Christmas tree fires are sparked in January, according to recent data from the National Fire Protection Agency.
Most of these fires (about 41%) were caused by "electrical distribution or lighting equipment," the NFPA says. About 20% were sparked by lightbulbs or lamps, and 11% were sparked by candles.
"The thing about a Christmas tree is it takes off very quickly and [it] puts off a lot of heat. [A] tree is a really efficient fuel source," Schnaper added.
Preventing such fires starts during the purchasing process, according to the NFPA. Buyers should look for trees that don't already appear "too dry" and aren't shedding needles excessively. Once home, buyers should cut off the stump and keep their trees well waters. Fresh trees should also never be nearer than three feet to any open flames or heat sources, the NFPA urges.
Above all, trees should be discarded when they start to dry out — and places safely away from any flammable structures.
"Dried-out trees are a fire danger and should not be left in the home or garage or placed outside against the home," the NFPA writes.
Speaking with the Associated Press earlier this year, Lenny Farlee, an extension educator with Purdue University, suggested several methods for disposing of a used Christmas tree, starting with any recycling programs your local municipalities may be running. Often, these trees can be broken down into mulch, or used to create wildlife habitats.
"You need to make sure your tree is clear of any ornaments or wires before you send it for recycling," he warned.
If the tree is from a local species, Farlee said it could also be placed in a corner of your yard to be used as a birdfeeder or a "sort of wildlife habitat" through the winter. Species that aren't local, meanwhile, must be recycled, disposed of, or used for campfires.
"So you can cut the tree up into pieces and have a campfire at some point in time that winter or spring," Farlee said.
