Heating, holiday decorations, winter storms, and candles all play in a part to an increased risk of fire during the winter months.
The National Fire Protection Association and local fire departments want you to help reduce your risk to winter fires and other dangers.
It’s fun to decorate for the winter holidays, but holiday decorations can increase your risk for a home fire.
Keep these tips in mind:
- Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that burns.
- Keep your Christmas tree away from a heat source.A tree too close to a heat source causes 1 in every 4 winter fires. Make sure it is at least 3 feet away from heat sources.
- Read manufacturer’s instructions for the number of light strands to connect.
- Get rid of your tree after Christmas or when it is dry.
For more holiday safety tips, click here.
For winter safety tips, click here.
Heating
According to the NFPA, heating is the second leading cause of U.S. home fires, deaths, and injuries. December, January, and February are the peak months for heating fires. Space heaters account for two of every five fires.
Carbon Monoxide
Often called the invisible killer, carbon monoxide is an odorless, colorless gas created when fuels such as gasoline, wood, coal, propane, etc. do not burn completely. In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel are potential sources of carbon monoxide.
Candles
December is the peak time of year for home candle fires; the top three days for home candle fires are Christmas, New Year’s Day, and New Year’s Eve. The NFPA says between 2012 and 2016, an average of 8,200 home candle fires were reported each year.
Electrical
Electrical home fires are a leading cause of home fires in the U.S. Roughly half of all home electrical fires involved electrical distribution or lighting equipment, while nearly another half are involved other known types of equipment like washer or dryer fans, and portable or stationary space heaters.