Christmas risks in 2021: Americans report tree injuries, fire hazards, dashing animals and sticker shocks

The age-old safety debate between artificial Christmas trees and real Christmas trees – and what Americans plan to use in 2021

While fake trees lack that charming piney scent, many consumers are willing to forgo it for a safer (and easier) alternative. More than half (51%) of consumers – and 58% of Midwestern residents – think artificial Christmas trees are safer than real ones. Are they right?

Fans of artificial trees can be on to anything – real trees are generally a greater fire hazard than artificial trees, but both types come with potential safety risks. (Think overloaded sockets, faulty lights, overly impatient animals, lacerations from broken bulbs, etc.)

The majority of consumers will have a Christmas tree in their home this year, with 70% saying they will have one and 8% planning to have more than one. (Interestingly, 20% of Gen Z plan to have more than one tree – the only generation with a double-digit percentage.) That said, a slightly lower percentage of Americans will opt for living trees this time. year – 21%, compared to 24% last year. Another 6% of consumers will use both living and artificial trees.

Younger generations prefer living trees more than Generation X and Baby Boomers. And parents with children under the age of 18 are more likely to choose a living tree than people without young children at home. Who can resist doing some real holiday magic for their little ones?

And once the holidays are over, the tree drama does not end. Only 25% will take the tree to a recycling center – the suggestion recommended by the NFPA. Another 28% will put it outside for garbage collection, and 22% will burn it, which could put some consumers on the bad guy list next year.