Holiday Fire Safety

Celebrate safely during the holiday season

Holiday Fire Facts

  • • Christmas trees are involved in an average of 160 home fires per year.
  • • Holiday decorations cause an average of 790 home fires per year.
  • • Candles cause nearly half of all decoration fires.
  • • Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires.

Christmas Tree Safety

Real Trees

  • • Choose a fresh tree—needles should be hard to pull off and not break.
  • • Cut 1-2 inches off the trunk before putting it in the stand.
  • • Water your tree daily—a dry tree is a fire hazard.
  • • Remove the tree before it dries out.

Artificial Trees

  • • Choose a tree labeled "fire resistant."
  • • Never use electric lights on metal trees.
  • • Inspect for damage before each use.
  • • Follow manufacturer's instructions.

All Trees

  • • Place the tree at least 3 feet away from any heat source.
  • • Make sure the tree does not block exits.
  • • Turn off tree lights when leaving or going to bed.

Holiday Light Safety

  • Inspect lights each year for frayed wires, broken sockets, or loose connections. Discard damaged sets.
  • Use the right lights—indoor lights inside, outdoor-rated lights outside.
  • Don't overload outlets—follow manufacturer limits on connected light strands.
  • Use LED lights—they're cooler and more energy efficient than incandescent.
  • Turn off lights before leaving home or going to bed.

Candle Safety

December is the peak month for candle fires. Consider using flameless candles instead.

  • Never leave candles unattended—blow them out when leaving or going to sleep.
  • Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn.
  • Use sturdy candle holders that won't tip over.
  • Keep candles out of reach of children and pets.
  • Place candles away from decorations, curtains, and Christmas trees.

Holiday Cooking Safety

  • Stay in the kitchen when cooking—unattended cooking is the leading cause of kitchen fires.
  • Keep children at least 3 feet away from the stove.
  • Test your smoke alarms before holiday cooking begins.
  • Keep a lid nearby to smother small grease fires.

For more cooking safety tips, visit our Cooking Fire Safety page.

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Content source: National Fire Protection Association