Holiday Traditions Present Fire Risk

Scrooge himself would be delighted to hear that spirited attempts to make the winter holidays merry and bright are often the reason behind an uptick of home fires in December. The U.S. Fire Administration has reported that there are more than 128,000 residential fires each December for a total loss of nearly $1 billion.¹

There are steps you can take to reduce the danger associated with certain holiday rituals, but it’s important to remember that your home could be damaged by fire any time of the year and regardless of how you choose to celebrate the seasons.

Here’s a glimpse of some closely held traditions that have been known to spark blazes, and how taking some simple safety measures can help prevent your home from becoming a holiday fire casualty.

• Holiday parties large and small typically include food, which means that the hosts may spend more time than usual preparing food in the kitchen. With the many distractions that come with a house full of guests, it’s no wonder that cooking is the leading cause of fires in December.² Typically, fires are ignited when cooking projects are left unattended in the kitchen or when flammable items come into contact with a heat source or an open flame.
• Experts recommend special precautions if you choose to keep a live Christmas tree in your home. Dry trees can ignite easily, and when they do, the fire often spreads quickly throughout a home. For this reason, look for freshly cut trees, keep plenty of water in the stand, and place the tree far from fireplaces, vents, and other heat sources. Because Christmas trees are usually displayed in central areas such as a living room, it is particularly dangerous and expensive when a tree fire erupts. The average loss associated with a Christmas tree fire is nearly $60,000.³
• Twinkling lights add a festive glow to any celebration, but they can also cause a fire if they malfunction or are used incorrectly. Homeowners should only purchase light strands that have been certified by a nationally recognized laboratory, which indicates that they have been tested for fire safety. Before installing lights, carefully check old and new strands to verify that wires and sockets are intact.
• Candles are often lit as part of traditional rituals or simply to create a cozy ambiance for holiday get-togethers, which is the main reason there are more candle-related fires in December than in any other month.⁴ It’s best to keep lit candles in large holders that won’t tip easily, far from other decorations or combustible objects and out of reach of children and pets.

The holidays are a wonderful time of year to share with your family and friends. By following a few simple safety tips, your holidays can be safe as well as joyful.

1–4) U.S. Fire Administration, 2006, 2008, 2009

The information in this article is not intended as tax or legal advice, and it may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. You are encouraged to seek tax or legal advice from an independent professional advisor. The content is derived from sources believed to be accurate. Neither the information presented nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. This material was written and prepared by Emerald. © 2009 Emerald.