Home fire fatalities increase during the winter. To make sure communities know about the increased risk, USFA partners with the National Fire Protection Association to Put a Freeze on Winter Fires. The initiative focuses on hazards that may increase a family’s risk of having a house fire.

With new or reinstated restrictions due to COVID, this holiday season may look different than in years past. Families may put up more holiday decorations to lift their spirits. Remind them to decorate safely.

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.

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.