Facts & figures • Christmas trees were the items first ignited in an estimated average of 310 reported U.S home structure fires per year in 1999-2002. These fires caused an average of 14 civilian deaths, 40 civilian injuries, and $16.2 million in direct property damage per year. These statistics include both real and artificial trees. [Source: NFPA Christmas Tree Fires Report April 2005] • On average, one in every 22 reported home Christmas tree fires resulted in a death. [Source: NFPA Christmas Tree Fires Report April 2005] • More than four of every ten home Christmas tree fires are caused by an electrical problem or malfunction. One in four (24%) home Christmas tree fires resulted from a heat source placed too close to the tree. Seven percent were started by children playing with fire. [Source: NFPA Christmas Tree Fires Report April 2005] • When equipment was involved in the ignition of the fire, lamps, bulbs or lighting (18%), and cords or plugs (13%) were cited more often than any other type of equipment. No equipment was involved in 44% of these fires. [Source: NFPA Christmas Tree Fires Report April 2005] • Candles were the heat source in 8% of the home Christmas tree fires per year between 1999 and 2002. [Source: NFPA Christmas Tree Fires Report April 2005] • Sixty-one percent of the home Christmas tree fires were reported in December, 22% were reported in January. Not surprisingly, the number of these fires spikes during the week of December 22-28.