As lovely as a real Christmas tree may be, a shocking video has shown how dangerous they can be if left unwatered.
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission has shared a video which shows how quickly fire can spread in a home if a dry tree catches alight.
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The CPSC created a living room for the experiment, and as the clip shows, the tree can be seen fully engulfed by flames within five seconds. By 23 seconds the fire has spread to the nearby couch and presents under the tree. Scary stuff.
Real trees - if not watered - can catch fire through faulty fairy lights, cigarettes, candles or other open flames.
The CPSC says there have been around 100 fires caused by Christmas trees in the US in the space of two years.
A statement said: "From 2014 to 2016, there were about 100 Christmas tree fires and about 1,100 candle fires that resulted in 10 deaths, 150 injuries, and nearly $50 million (£38.4m) in property damage each of those years.
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"Make sure your live Christmas tree stays well-watered throughout the holiday season.
"If you're buying an artificial tree, look for the 'Fire Resistant' label.
"Put lit candles where you can easily see them and away from flammable items like curtains. Blow candles out before leaving a room."
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National Institute of Standards and Technology released a similar clip last year, in which a watered tree was compared to an unwatered one.
In a matter of seconds, the dry tree ignites and flames climb the tree. By six seconds the flames have reached the ceiling and started to spread out.
In less than two minutes the whole mock-up living room is destroyed. Meanwhile, the watered tree beside it is just starting to smoke, as a small fire breaks out in the trunk, but fails to spread and is quickly and easily extinguished.
The National Fire Protection Association advises: "Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur, they are more likely to be serious. Carefully decorating your home can help make your holidays safer."
The organisation also warns real tree owners to 'add water to the tree stand, daily'.
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It adds: "Make sure the tree is at least three feet away from any heat source, like fireplaces, radiators, candles, heat vents or lights.
"Always turn off Christmas tree lights before leaving home or going to bed."
Featured Image Credit: US Consumer Product Safety Commission