It’s not the most cheerful news for the holidays, but did you know December is the leading month for home fires in the United States? Out come the candles, Christmas trees, fairy lights, decorations both indoors and out, roaring fireplaces, space heaters, and ancient electrical cables, causing a massive spike in dangerous fire risk. “December is a leading month for home fires, which is largely due to the activities we engage in during the holiday season,” says Lorraine Carli, NFPA vice president of Outreach and Advocacy. “Additionally, an increase in the use of heating equipment, driven by colder temperatures across most of the country, contributes to this heightened risk… By knowing where potential fire hazards exist and taking basic precautions to prevent them, people can enjoy a festive, fire-free holiday season.”
RELATED: Amazing Home Safety Tips from Firefighters.
Those Beautiful Candles Are Dangerous
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According to the NFPA, candles are the leading cause of home decoration fires in December. “Year round, one-third (32%) of home decoration fires were started by candles,” the nonprofit says. “This jumped to almost half in December when candles started 46% of such fires.”
Holiday Fires
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The holiday season makes it more likely for people to use candles, and accidents will happen if proper precautions are not taken. “The holidays are a big uptick in candle fires, especially with Christmas and Hanukkah and the use of candles,” Deputy Fire Marshal Doug Saba with Mountain View Fire Rescue tells Denver7. “New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day are some of our biggest days for those types of fires.”
Fire Department Candle Tips
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Yes, you can still enjoy candles over the holidays, if you practice safety and common sense. Here is what the County of Los Angeles Fire Department recommends:
- Never leave a burning candle unattended.
- Consider using battery-operated candles instead.
- If you use lit candles, never place them on a tree.
- Place them in a stable candle holder.
- Keep candles at least 12 inches away from all flammable materials,decorations, and wrapping paper.
- Make sure to keep lit candles away from children and in an area where they cannot be blown or knocked over.
Safety First
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Never go to bed with candles still lit or electric Christmas lights still plugged in. “Decorations create a festive environment in homes during the holiday season, but these decorations can increase the risk of an accidental fire if proper steps and precautions are not followed,” says Illinois State Fire MarshalJames A. Rivera. “If you are planning to host family and friends during the holidays, make sure they are aware of your fire escape plan. Show them where all the exits are in your home and make sure they are aware of a meeting spot location in case of fire.”