To help keep you and your family safe this holiday season, the Lombard Fire Department is sharing safety tips from the National Fire Protection Association.
Winter Holiday Fire Facts
- Electrical distribution or lighting equipment was involved in almost half of home Christmas tree fires.
- More than two of every five (42%) home Christmas tree fires started in the living room. Five percent were chimney or flue fires. One-fifth (21%) of the decoration fires started in the kitchen. Sixteen percent started in the living room, family room or den.
- Half (51%) of December home decoration fires were started by candles, compared to one-third (32%) in January to November.
- See more statistics on winter holiday fires.
Tree & Decoration fires
- Carefully decorating your home can help make your holidays safer. Between 2014-2018, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 160 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year. U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated average of 770 home structure fires per year that began with decorations, excluding Christmas trees.
- Christmas trees are combustible items that become increasingly flammable as they continue to dry out in your home. More than one-quarter (29%) of home fires that begin with Christmas trees occur in January. Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur they’re much more likely to be serious.
- In the throes of holiday shopping and decorating? Check out the 9 Ways You’re a Holiday Decorating Disaster.
Put a Freeze on Winter Fires
NFPA and USFA team up each year for "Put A Freeze on Winter Fires" to remind you that the winter months are the leading time of year for home fires. To help you stay safe, we’re providing a wealth of safety tips and information on cooking, heating, candles and holiday decorating – factors that contribute to the increased risk of home fires in the months ahead.