The Westport Fire Department (WFD) released an advisory on Jan. 4 warning locals to immediately get rid of their Christmas trees due to fires.
As Christmas trees begin to dry out, they become easy to catch on fire, the WFD said. The tree and leaves carry a highly flammable oil which allows for it to voluntarily catch on fire. In addition, the use of cheap lights on the tree and a short circuit may allow for it to combust.
A third of house fires in the United States beginning with Christmas trees happen in January, according to Westport News.
“Even though Christmas is my favorite holiday and I love decorating my tree,” Charlotte Lieber ’22 said, “I would rather take my tree down than have my house in flames.”