Many hallmarks of the holiday season — including Christmas trees, holiday decorations, cooking, and baking — present potential fire hazards that contribute to an annual increase in US home fires during the winter months. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), Christmas Day and Christmas Eve are among the leading days of the year for home fires, topped only by Thanksgiving Day.

Similarly, the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) and Commission on Fire Prevention and Control (CFPC) urge all state residents to check their homes to ensure a fire safe holiday season.

NFPA Vice President of Outreach and Advocacy Lorraine Carli says December is a leading month for home fires, “in large part because many of the activities we engage in during the holiday season reflect leading causes of home fires year-round.”

Fortunately, Carli notes, most winter fires can be prevented with a little added awareness and planning.

“By knowing where potential fire hazards exist and taking some basic safety precautions to prevent them, people can enjoy a festive, fire-free holiday season,” she said.

The latest NFPA statistics, culled between 2015 and 2019, underscore the increased risk of fire during the holiday season.

Christmas Trees

An estimated average of 160 home fires that began when Christmas trees caught fire caused an average of two civilian deaths, 12 civilian injuries, and $10 million in direct property damage per year.

Some type of electrical distribution or lighting equipment, including decorative lights, was involved in almost half of the above fires. Nearly one in five Christmas tree fires were started by decorative lights.

Eight percent of Christmas tree fires were started by candles.

In nearly 20% of Christmas tree fires, the tree was too close to a heat source, such as a candle or heating or lighting equipment.

Connecticut Fire Academy Public Fire Education Coordinator Alan Zygmunt says Christmas trees need to be checked and watered every day.

"If a tree dies out, it is a tremendous fire hazard," he said. "There is a very powerful video," he said, on NFPA's website. Visit NFPA.org then click on Public Education (within the red banner), then Fire Causes & Risks, then Seasonal Fire Causes, then on the Winter Holidays box. Once on that page, scroll down to the embedded video called “Christmas Tree Fire Turns Devastating and Deadline Within Seconds.”

The video — a live Christmas tree burn conducted by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission — shows just how quickly a dried out Christmas tree burns, compared to a cared-for tree.

Decorations

According to NFPA, an estimated average of 790 home fires that began when decorations other than Christmas trees caught fire caused an average of one civilian death, 26 civilian injuries, and $13 million in direct property damage per year.

One in five home decoration fires occurred in December.

Year-round, 35% of home decoration fires began with candles; in December, the number jumped to 45%.

In more than two of every five fires (44%) involving decorations, the decoration was too close to a heat source, such as a candle, cooking or heating equipment.

Candles

An estimated average of 7,400 home fires (2%) started by candles caused an average of 90 civilian deaths (3%), 670 civilian injuries (6%), and $291 million (four percent) in direct property damage per year.

Candle fires peak in December and January with 11% of candle fires in each of these months.

In three of every five candle fires, the candle was too close to something that could catch fire.

Christmas is the peak day for candle fires with roughly 2.5 times the daily average; Christmas Eve ranked second.

Falling asleep was a factor in 10% of the home candle fires and 12% of the associated deaths.

Cooking, Fireplaces

NFPA says cooking is the leading cause of reported home fires (49%) and home fire injuries and the second-leading cause of home fire deaths.

Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires.

DESPP adds that fireplaces should always be used with a screen to catch sparks and embers from going into a room.

Dispose ashes in a covered metal container and store it ten feet away from the home. Ashes can maintain enough heat to ignite combustible items for several days.