Is It Safe to Leave the Christmas Tree Plugged in Overnight? Here's What Experts Say

Published on December 10, 2025

Decorating the Christmas tree is one of the most iconic holiday traditions, and once your fir or spruce is covered in ornaments and lights, you want to enjoy it as much as possible.

The twinkling lights and holiday spirit are usually enough to make up for how early the sun goes down this time of year. It's tempting to leave the lights on all night for that cozy glow, but is it safe? Experts say it's probably not worth the risk; here's what they want you to do instead.

Holiday Lighting Fire Hazards

Trees are so much fun to decorate and display around the holidays, some people can't even wait until after Thanksgiving to put theirs up. But, along with many other Christmas decor items, they pose a significant fire hazard. Our experts agree that it's safest to unplug lights when you're asleep or not home.

Hommer Zhao, a cable and electrical expert, says "Any decoration that has heating parts, older wiring, or moving parts should be unplugged." Although your tree might be stationary or brand new, if it lights up, it has 'heating parts.' Some lights are made to give off minimal heat, but electrical expert Leon Huang explains that even LED lights can cause problems if the wiring is damaged.

Since lights can heat up, Huang says trees shouldn't be plugged in, unattended, for long periods of time. "Trees, especially natural ones, can catch fire if the lights fail or overheat," Zhao says. So unplugging the tree at the end of the day, or plugging it in when you get home is ideal.

"Shorter use time is always safer," Zhao says. If you're not sure if your tree has been plugged in for too long, check how warm the lights and wiring feel. "If the wiring or plug feels warm, that is a clear sign to unplug it."

What to Do Instead

If you're looking for a way to turn the tree off after you go to bed, Zhao suggests using timers. "They can help prevent overheating because they limit how long the lights stay on.” Huang agrees, explaining that putting your Christmas tree (and any other holiday decorations with lights or heating elements) on a timer is one of the easiest ways to mitigate risk.

However, both experts warn against using an uncertified timer, or using your timer incorrectly. Zhao explains you'll need to use a timer that matches the voltage and current of your lights. To identify the voltage and current, check the packaging the lights came in, or use a light bulb tester tool.