Preventing Christmas tree fires, with science (video)
image: Each year, 160 U.S. homes experience Christmas tree fires. They are hot, fast, dangerous — and preventable. In this video, the ACS Reactions team tests different Christmas tree watering conditions, including an internet recipe that supposedly fireproofs your Christmas tree with borax, to investigate the science behind preventing these fires. With some help from the University of Maryland, they light some Christmas trees on fire and conclude that just plain water is one of the best things you can give your tree to keep your home safe.
Credit: The American Chemical Society
WASHINGTON, Dec. 23, 2024 — Each year, 160 U.S. homes experience Christmas tree fires. They are hot, fast, dangerous — and preventable. In this video, the ACS Reactions team tests different Christmas tree watering conditions, including an internet recipe that supposedly fireproofs your Christmas tree with borax, to investigate the science behind preventing these fires. With some help from the University of Maryland, they light some Christmas trees on fire and conclude that just plain water is one of the best things you can give your tree to keep your home safe.
Reactions is a video series produced by the American Chemical Society and PBS Digital Studios. Subscribe to Reactions and follow us on X, formerly Twitter @ACSReactions.
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