Winter Holiday Fire Facts

Christmas Trees

Between 2013-2017, U.S. fire departments responded to an average 160 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year. These fires caused an average of three deaths, 15 injuries, and $10 million in direct property damage annually.

On average, one of every 52 reported home fires that began with a Christmas tree resulted in a death, compared to an average of one death per 135 total reported home fires.

Electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in 44% of home Christmas tree fires.

In one-quarter (25%) of the Christmas tree fires, some type of heat source, such as a candle or equipment, was too close to the tree.

One-fifth (21%) of Christmas tree fires were intentional.

Roughly three-quarters of Christmas tree fires occurred in December or January.

Two of every five (39%) home Christmas tree fires started in the living room.

Holiday decorations

U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 780 home structure fires per year that began with decorations, excluding Christmas trees, in 2013-2017. These fires caused an annual average of three civilian fire deaths, 34 civilian fire injuries and $12 million in direct property damage.

Nine percent of decoration fires were intentional.

The decoration was too close to a heat source such as a candle or equipment in more than two of every five (44%) fires.

One-fifth (21%) of the decoration fires started in the kitchen. Sixteen percent started in the living room, family room or den.

One-fifth (20%) of the home decoration fires occurred in December.

Candles

On average, 22 home candle fires were reported each day between 2013-2017.

Three of every five (60%) candle fires started when something that could burn, such as furniture, mattresses or bedding, curtains, or decorations, was too close to the candle.

Candle fires peak in December. January ranked second. Eighteen percent of December candle fires started in the living room and 8% started in the dining room compared to 14% and 3% for those areas during the rest of the year.

The two peak days for candle fires were Christmas and Christmas Eve.

Holiday cooking

Thanksgiving is the peak day for home cooking fires, followed by Christmas Day and Christmas Eve.

Cooking equipment was involved in one of every five (19%) of home decoration fires. This can happen when a decoration is left on or too close to a stove or other cooking equipment.

Fireworks

Ten percent of fireworks fires occur during the period from December 30 through January 3, with the peak on New Year's Day.

More Winter holiday fire facts

Electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in more than two of every five (44%) home Christmas tree fires.

Two of every five (39%) home Christmas tree fires started in the living room. Five percent were chimney or flue fires. One-fifth (21%) of the decoration fires started in the kitchen. Sixteen percent started in the living room, family room or den.

Almost three of every five (57%) December home decoration fires were started by candles, compared to one-third (32%) in January to November.

See more statistics on winter holiday fires. https://www.nfpa.org/Public-Education/Fire-causes-and-risks/Seasonal-fire-causes/Winter-holidays/Holiday-fires-by-the-numbers

Christmas Tree & Decoration Fires

Carefully decorating your home can help make your holidays safer. Between 2013-2017, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 160 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year. U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 780 home structure fires per year that began with decorations, excluding Christmas trees.

In the throes of holiday shopping and decorating? Check out the 9 Ways You’re a Holiday Decorating Disaster.

Christmas Tree Disposal

Christmas trees are combustible items that become increasingly flammable as they continue to dry out in your home. More than one-quarter (29%) of home fires that begin with Christmas trees occur in January. Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur, they’re much more likely to be serious.