Natural trees don't cause holiday fires

It’s that time of year again. We’ll all probably see the local TV news team do a Christmas tree fire story. It’ll show a dramatic image of a tree burning and the reporter will say with consternation, “If you get a real Christmas tree this could happen to you … blah, blah, blah.”

Watching these stories every year, I can only wonder at the ethical standards of the TV station. This is clearly an example of sensational and misleading journalism. While I applaud efforts to teach people how to properly care for their farm grown Christmas tree and warn people about potential fire hazards, journalists have a responsibility to get the facts right.

A natural tree, especially a tree that is kept watered, is extremely difficult to ignite from an accidental ignition source found in a home. In fact, newspapers, magazines, boxes, bags and drapes are far more likely to be involved in a fire, but mentioning these before natural trees would still “miss the mark.”

Media focus should be on the source of the fire in the first place. Educating the public about unattended or poorly placed candles, overloaded circuits and faulty wiring should be your priority. A cut Christmas tree has never, ever, ever in history caused a fire. Fires are caused by sparks, flames, heat or chemical reactions. A plant (which is what a Christmas tree is) can not cause a fire.

My hope is that consumers are not fooled by unethical media who show these news reports. facts@ www.realchristmastrees.org

DAVID JENKINS

Sandpoint