Scranton residents who didn\u2019t put their Christmas trees out for pickup last week will have another opportunity to do so next week, though next week\u2019s collections will be delayed by a day because Monday is Martin Luther King Jr. Day.<\/p>\n
The city announced earlier this month two weeks of free Christmas tree collections by its Department of Public Works: the weeks of Jan. 5 and Jan. 19, respectively.<\/p>\n
Trees should be stripped of all lights, ornaments and other decorations before being placed at the curb for collection alongside combined cardboard and paper, city officials said in a press release. Those materials should be placed curbside no more than 24 hours before regularly scheduled pickup.<\/p>\n
\u201cProper disposal of Christmas trees helps reduce negative impacts on our local environment,\u201d the city release said.<\/p>\n
But dry Christmas trees are also highly combustible and can be a serious fire hazard. Between 2020-2024, for example, fire departments in the United States responded to an average of 143 home fires that started with Christmas trees annually, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Those fires were responsible for an estimated seven civilian deaths and 13 civilian injuries, as well as $15 million in property damage during that period, the organization notes.<\/p>\n
Christmas trees become increasingly flammable as they dry out, with about 35% of Christmas tree fires happening in January.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt would be good to just get them bagged and get them outside the house at this point, being that dry is definitely a danger,\u201d Scranton Fire Chief John Judge said. \u201cWe recommend getting those out of the home sooner rather than later after the Christmas season.\u201d<\/p>\n
While collections won\u2019t continue until next week, Judge said residents with dry Christmas trees can bag them and place them outside where they store their garbage cans to mitigate the risk of fire.<\/p>\n
Residents can but aren\u2019t required to bag trees when they place them curbside for collection, city Communications Director Christopher Hughes said.<\/p>\n
The Scranton Fire Department, meanwhile, continues to offer a program providing and installing free smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in city homes, Judge confirmed. Residents who need the potentially lifesaving devices should call 570-348-4132 or email smokedetectors@scrantonpa.gov.<\/p>\n