Facts & figures

• In 2004, there were 200 Christmas tree fires in U.S. homes, resulting in 17 injuries and $16 million in direct property damage. No deaths were reported.
• During 2000-2004, an average 300 home fires started when Christmas trees ignited. These fires caused an estimated annual average of 14 civilian deaths, 21 civilian injuries and $16.8 million in direct property damage.
• During 2004, an estimated 17,200 home fires started by candles were reported to public fire departments. These fires resulted in an estimated 200 civilian deaths, 1,540 civilian injuries and an estimated direct property loss of $200 million. 
• Fourteen percent of the candle fires ocurred in December. This is almost twice the 8% monthly average. Christmas was the peak day for home candle fires. Seventeen percent of the home fires reported on Christmas were started by candles.
• In 14% of the December candle fires, the fires began when a decoration caught fire. This was true in only 5% of the fires during the rest of the year.

Source: NFPA's One-Stop Data Shop

NFPA reports

"Home Candle Fires, " Marty Ahrens
This report includes an analysis of causes and trends in home fires involving candles, candle fire frequency in other occupancies, and selected published incident descriptions.
NFPA members: Download this report for free. (PDF, 202 KB)
All visitors: Download the executive summary and table of contents. (PDF, 32 KB)

"Home Heating Fire Patterns and Trends," John R. Hall, Jr.
Analysis of patterns and trends in all measures of fire loss for all types of home heating equipment and all fuel and power types, including leading causes of ignition. Also provides data from other countries and safety tips.
NFPA members: Download this report for free. (PDF, 400 KB)
All visitors: Download the executive summary and table of contents for free. (PDF, 48 KB)

"Home Structure Fires that Began with Decorations," Marty Ahrens
This analysis of home fires beginning with decorations includes information on when these fires occur, area of origin, recent trends and causal factors.
NFPA members: Download this report for free. (PDF, 80 KB)

"Home Christmas Tree and Holiday Light Fires," Marty Ahrens
This analysis of home fires beginning with Christmas tress and holiday lights includes information on when these fires occur, area of origin, and causal factors. Also includes selected published incident descriptions.
NFPA members: Download this report for free. (PDF, 135 KB)
All visitors: Download the executive summary and table of contents. (PDF, 24 KB)

Safety tips:

Holiday decorating & lighting

• Use caution with holiday decorations and whenever possible, choose those made with flame-resistant, flame-retardant or non-combustible materials.
• Keep candles away from decorations and other combustible materials, and do not use candles to decorate Christmas trees. 
• Purchase only lights and electrical decorations bearing the name of an independent testing lab, and follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation and maintenance.
• Carefully inspect new and previously used light strings and replace damaged items before plugging lights in. Do not overload extension cords.
• Check your strands of lights to determine the number of strands that may be connected.  Connect no more than three strands of push-in bulbs and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs.
• Always unplug lights before replacing light bulbs or fuses.
• Don't mount lights in any way that can damage the cord's wire insulation (i.e., using clips, not nails).
• Keep children and pets away from light strings and electrical decorations.
• Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving home or going to bed.

Holiday entertaining

• Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the U.S. When cooking for holiday visitors, remember to keep an eye on the range.
• If you smoke, smoke outside.
• Wherever you smoke, provide plenty of large, deep sturdy ashtrays and check them frequently. Cigarette butts can smolder in the trash and cause a fire, so completely douse cigarette butts with water before discarding.
• After a party, always check on, between and under upholstery and cushions and inside trash cans for cigarette butts that may be smoldering.
• Keep matches and lighters up high, out of sight and reach of children (preferably in a locked cabinet). When smokers visit your home, ask them to keep their smoking materials with them so young children do not touch them.
• Test your smoke alarms, and let guests know what your fire escape plan  is.

NFPA does not test, label or approve any products.
Updated: 12/06