Must-Know Tips for Preventing a House Fire This Holiday Season

We love cozying up to a fire in the winter as much as the next person, but we prefer the flames to stay inside the fireplace. Unfortunately, house fires spike during the holiday season due to neglected candles, electrical mishaps, and cooking incidents. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, dry Christmas trees and unattended candles alone result in nearly $56 million in property loss per year. So before you hang your stockings and deck the halls, consider these essential tips to keep your family safe from house fires during the busy holiday season.

Jay Wilde

5 Common Holiday House Fire Risks

Decking the halls (and living room and every other room in your home) with holiday decorations is one of our favorite traditions. In fact, putting Christmas decorations up early could make you a happier person. However, many of our favorite seasonal accessories can cause a house fire without the proper precautions. Below, discover top holiday decor items that pose a fire risk and safety precautions from Kidde fire safety educator, Sharon Cooksey, to keep your family safe this winter.

1. Christmas Trees

A live Christmas tree brings the pleasing scent of pine and traditional charm to your home. However, tree fires can occur without a few precautions. Make sure your tree is at least three feet from heat sources, such as a fireplace or radiator. Position your tree in a location that won’t block a doorway or exit route, and ensure it's tightly secured to its base so it won’t tip over. Set an alarm on your phone to water your Christmas tree daily to prevent it from drying out, and make sure to dispose of your natural tree at the end of the holidays.

Related: 9 Christmas Tree Recycling Tips That Help the Environment

2. Candles

More than a third of fires related to decorations are started by candles, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). Anything with an open flame should be monitored at all times and out of the reach of children and pets. Make sure to place candles on a stable, heat-resistant surface at least a foot away from flammable items, including Christmas trees. Consider using flameless candles ($13, Walmart) as possible; there are electric menorahs ($30, Bed Bath & Beyond) and kinaras ($35, Etsy) available, too.

3. String Lights and Lighted Decorations

Whether you’re dealing with twinkling string lights or an illuminated Christmas village, be sure to check any electrical wires in your holiday decorations. Mice can find their way into holiday storage and gnaw away at wires, and bulbs can crack if they’re mishandled. Don’t use any electrical products if they’re in less-than-perfect condition.

Connect no more than three Christmas string light sets. If you’re decorating with large bulbs, make sure there are no more than 50 bulbs connected at a time. Before you go to bed or leave home each night, turn off the string lights on your Christmas tree. Cooksey also suggests decorating with LED lights, which emit less heat, and ensuring your lights are approved for indoor or outdoor use, depending on their location.

4. Stockings and Mantel Decorations

Stockings hung by the chimney with care are quintessential Christmas. But if you plan to use your wood-burning or gas fireplace, make sure to remove stockings and any other surrounding mantel decorations that could be flammable. Additionally, fireplaces should be cleaned and inspected annually.

5. Space Heaters

For an easy and affordable solution to chilly rooms, space heaters are ideal. However, they're not suited for every spot in your home. According to Cooksey, portable space heaters require a flat surface and should be placed at least 3 feet away from anything flammable. Turn off and unplug space heaters at night and when you're not in the room.

Related: 4 Important Space Heater Safety Tips You Need to Know to Prevent a Fire

Perhaps the easiest holiday fire safety tip? Sleep with your bedroom door closed. This seemingly minor task can create a barrier, helping to contain a house fire.

Fire Prevention Tips for Holiday Cooking

It wouldn't be the holidays without a delicious spread of favorite family recipes. However, cooking in a crowded kitchen can be a recipe for disaster. In fact, Thanksgiving and Christmas are the peak days for home cooking fires in the U.S., according to the NFPA. Common mishaps include leaving food unattended on the stove or in the oven, incorrect use of fire extinguishers, and misplaced flammable items. To help avoid a house fire caused by holiday cooking, follow these kitchen safety tips from Kidde, a fire safety product manufacturer.

1. Locate a Fire Extinguisher

If you're not sure whether you own a fire extinguisher or where it is, take a few minutes to locate it. Check the purchase date as well; fire extinguishers should be replaced every 10-12 years. Then familiarize yourself with how to use your extinguisher in case of emergency. Make sure all family members living in your household know how to locate the fire extinguisher. If a fire starts, you don’t want to waste time digging through cabinets.

Related: Simple Kitchen Safety Tips Could Prevent a Disaster

2. Check Smoke Alarms

If you don’t have a smoke alarm in or near your kitchen, get one. Kidde even has a kitchen alarm designed to detect real fires and reduce false alarms caused by cooking odors. Make sure any existing smoke alarms have been replaced within the past 10 years as well.

3. Prevent Grease Fires

Never attempt to extinguish a grease fire with water—it will only cause the fire to spread. Instead, use a kitchen-rated fire extinguisher or, if it’s small enough, smother the flames with a lid. Prevent grease fires in your stove by cleaning it regularly.

According to a recent Harris Poll commissioned by Kidde, 1 in 6 Americans (14%) incorrectly believe that to put out an oven fire, they should open the oven door to vent the fire. However, you should never open the door on an oven fire. Instead, turn it off and let the contents cool. If the fire escapes the oven, evacuate your home and call 911.

4. Set Boundaries and Stay Focused

According to the National Fire Protection Association, the leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking. If you're simmering a stew, baking holiday treats, or roasting meat, regularly check on your food. For an easy reminder, set an alarm or timer on your phone and keep it in your pocket. Each time it goes off, attend to cooking food. Additionally, your cooking space, as well as the area around the stove, should be clear of obstacles. Encourage a three-foot distance from the appliance at all times and remove any flammable items (think: oven mitts, food packaging) away from the stove. Also, make sure children know the stove knobs are not a toy.