Health library

Avoid holiday fires

Tips for trees, candles and lights.

Trees

160 home fires involving Christmas trees occur each year.

To avoid fire:

• Choose a fresh tree. Look for green needles that are hard to pull from branches and don't break when bent. The trunk should be sticky.
• Take the tree down after the holiday. Don't burn it in a fireplace or stove.
• Keep the tree away from fireplaces, radiators and other heat sources. Heat can dry out a tree and make it more flammable.
• Water the tree daily.

Candles

7,400 home fires involving candles are reported each year (December is the peak month for candle fires).

To avoid fire:

• Place candles where they can't be knocked down or blown over.
• Consider using battery-operated candles instead of real ones.
• Keep candles away from flammable decorations (including trees).
• Extinguish candles when you leave the room.
• Use nonflammable candle holders.

Lights

790 home fires involving decorations occur each year.

To avoid fire:

• Check new and old lights for broken sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections. Dispose of damaged lights.
• Make sure outdoor lights are certified for that use.
• Choose decoration that are flame-resistant or flame-retardant.
• Turn lights off before you go to bed or leave the house.