Holiday Fire Safety Tips

The holiday season brings lights, presents, carolers, and a large amount of joy. Firefighters know that it also brings an increased chance for fires. United States Fire Administration states, "Each year, nearly 156,000 fires in the United States occur during the winter holiday season claiming nearly 630 lives, 2,600 injuries, and $936 million in property damage" (Residential Structure Fires During the Holiday Season, 2002). This report is from 2002, each year these numbers increase. Most people do not realize that many of these fires are avoidable.

Many holiday fires are attributable to candles. During the holiday season, residential candle use increases. People enjoy the smell of candles, candles give off a romantic glow, and candles are used in holiday festivities/rituals. United States Fire Administrations found "Candle fires increase fourfold during the holiday season, killing more than 10 people, injuring 175, and causing more than $20 million in property losses" (Residential Structure Fires During the Holiday Season, 2002).A large number of fires started by candles can be prevented. Following a few simple steps will make candles enjoyable, beautiful, and keep your family from standing in the front yard watching yellow and orange flames devouring your home.

If you are going to be leaving your home, blow out the candles. Do not leave candles burning when no one is watching them. Some types of candles (i.e. ones not in a covered bowl) can drip wax on items around you. This wax just came off of a burning candle, it is hot. Even with someone in the home, a small fire or a smoldering fire could start. Attended the damage could be minor, if extinguished quickly. Unattended these fires can turn into raging infernos sucking in oxygen and devouring furniture, Christmas gifts, and any other fuel source as it grows uncontrolled. Neither the residents or fire department are aware of the fire until it grows large enough to get the attention of neighbors.

Keep candles away from flammable items such as lampshades, curtains, or other decorations. Very few people are not aware that candles are a source of fires. They put off heat. Most people do not realize that heat is transferred in several ways. Candles give off heated air. Heated air rises. You can feel this heated air by holding your hand above a candle. When candles are placed under other flammable items (i.e. curtains), the curtains will eventually become hot enough to burn. Heat is also transferred away from the sides of the candle. If candles are placed next to other flammable items, these items will eventually become hot enough to burn.

Space heaters are another source of holiday fires. Space heaters are very popular in some areas of the country. They allow residents to heat certain areas of their homes or bodies. These heaters can be particularly popular with the elderly. Elderly people tend to have poorer circulation and require more heat to stay warm. Flammable items placed next to space heaters (i.e. Christmas gifts, real and artificial Christmas trees, etc.) can quickly become hot enough to burn. Space heaters should not have any item placed within three feet of them.

Christmas (or Holiday) trees can also be a source of danger. Once a tree is cut down it begins to die and dry out. Once trees become dry enough, they can spontaneously combust. Many videos have documented how quickly a Christmas tree fire can engulf a living room. One video timed the process and found that a Christmas tree fire can engulf all living room furniture in slightly over a minute. Conducting a YouTube search for "Christmas tree fires" will yield several of these videos. It is important to keep your tree from getting too dry. There are also products that can be applied to make it harder for a fire to start. If you are using a real tree, you must monitor it carefully.

Artificial trees are not without their own dangers. Artificial trees are often made of plastic or similar materials. These materials do not combust like real trees, however, they can still melt. Melted plastic is very hot and can drip on to surrounding items. Artificial trees should be kept away from space heaters and other sources of heat. Sources of heat include heating vents. Heating vents do not put out extremely hot air, however, prolonged exposure to heated air start a fire.

Faulty electrical wires or overloaded outlets can start fires. Holiday lights should be examined as they are being taken out of storage. Ensure the lights are free of frays, cuts, or nicks that expose bare wires. It is also a good idea to examine the lights before putting them back into storage. When purchasing new lights, United States Fire Administration recommends "Use lights that have the label of an independent testing laboratory. Some lights are only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both" (Winter/Holiday Safety, 2008). It is important to ensure that outlets do not become overloaded. Extreme caution should be taken when "daisy chaining" surge protectors or other outlet extenders. Overloaded outlets can short out and start a fire.

Christmas should be a happy time of year. Keeping candles away from other flammable items, extinguishing candles before you leave your home, keeping items at least three feet from space heaters, examining your lights for bare wires, and monitoring your Christmas trees helps to reduce the chance of fires. Practicing these fire prevention tips helps to ensure that you and your family will have a happy and joyous holiday season. It is much better to see a firefighter while visiting your local station then when they are trying to save your home, possessions, and memories.