As reported by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), U.S. home cooking fires see a sharp increase during the holiday season, with Christmas Day and Christmas Eve ranking as the second- and third-highest days for cooking fires in 2022.
Lorraine Carli, NFPA vice president of Outreach and Advocacy, stated: “When people are busy and trying to do many things at once, they’re more likely to get distracted from what’s on the stove or in the oven.
“Knowing that unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires year-round, it’s easy to see why the number of cooking fires spikes on these days.”
The NFPA emphasizes the importance of attending to cooking tasks and following simple safety measures to prevent fires during holiday meal preparations.
Holiday decorations and lighting also contribute to an increased number of home fires.
From 2018 to 2022, U.S. fire departments responded to an annual average of 835 home structure fires caused by decorations, excluding Christmas trees.
Year-round, candles account for about one-third (32 percent) of decoration fires, a figure that jumps to nearly half (46 percent) during December.
NFPA encourages the use of safe alternatives and adherence to fire safety tips to reduce the risk of candle-related fires.
Although Christmas tree fires are less frequent, they tend to be more damaging when they occur.
On average, 155 annual home Christmas tree fires resulted in four civilian deaths, seven injuries, and $15 million in property damage.
Electrical distribution or lighting equipment is involved in more than 40 percent of these incidents.
Simple precautions, such as keeping trees well-watered and using certified lighting equipment, can significantly reduce the risk of these fires during the holidays.
The holiday season often involves the purchase of electronic devices powered by lithium-ion batteries, which pose fire risks if not handled properly.
The NFPA advises buyers to only purchase certified devices and use compatible charging equipment.
Safety tips include avoiding overcharging, recycling damaged batteries, and seeking professional repairs for devices showing signs of battery issues, such as swelling or excessive heat.
“The commonality between the vast majority of all these fires is that they’re largely preventable,” Carli noted.
“By understanding when and where potential risks exist, people can take simple steps to reduce their likelihood, which can go a long way toward ensuring a festive, fire-free holiday season.”
During the holiday season, home fire risks in the U.S.
increase due to cooking, decorations, Christmas trees, and lithium-ion batteries.
According to the NFPA, cooking fires peak on Christmas Day and Christmas Eve, while decoration fires—frequently caused by candles—are more common in December.
Christmas tree fires, though infrequent, result in significant damages, often linked to electrical issues.
Lithium-ion batteries also pose hazards, necessitating safe usage and disposal practices.
NFPA underscores that many of these risks are preventable with proper safety measures, helping to ensure a safe and festive holiday season.
