The holiday season may be known as the most wonderful time of the year, but it is also one of the most dangerous when it comes to home fires, according to the National Fire Protection Association.
NFPA data show that December is consistently a leading month for U.S. home fires. In 2024, Christmas Day and Christmas Eve ranked as the second- and third-leading days of the year for home cooking fires, highlighting the elevated risks that come with seasonal activities.
“Many of the activities we engage in during the holiday season reflect leading causes of home fires, which explains why we consistently see the number of home fires climb at this time of year,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA.
Cooking remains the single largest contributor to home fire risk during the holidays. NFPA statistics averaging data from 2020 to 2024 show that cooking equipment was involved in an estimated 48 percent of home structure fires, 35 percent of home fire injuries and 16 percent of home fire deaths nationwide. Unattended cooking equipment played a role in roughly one-quarter of reported home cooking fires and nearly half of related fatalities. While Thanksgiving remains the leading day for cooking fires, Christmas Day and Christmas Eve follow closely behind.
Heating equipment is another major factor, with nearly half of all home heating fires occurring between December and February. Space heaters and heating stoves account for the largest share of those incidents, responsible for nearly half of heating fires and roughly seven out of 10 heating-related deaths and injuries, according to NFPA.
Holiday decorations also add to the seasonal risk. Fire departments across the country respond to an estimated 835 home fires each year that begin with decorations other than Christmas trees, resulting in civilian deaths, injuries and millions of dollars in property damage. Nearly half of those fires start when decorations are placed too close to a heat source, such as candles or heating equipment. Candle-related fires peak in December and January.
Christmas tree fires, while less common, are often more severe. NFPA reports that U.S. fire departments respond to an average of 143 home fires each year that start with Christmas trees, leading to civilian deaths, injuries and significant property damage. Electrical lighting equipment is involved in a large share of those fires, along with candles and heat-producing lamps or bulbs.
The growing use of electronic devices powered by lithium-ion batteries has also introduced additional hazards during the holiday season. NFPA warns that damaged or improperly charged batteries can ignite, increasing the risk of fires. Safety officials recommend using only certified devices and chargers, avoiding overcharging, properly recycling batteries and discontinuing use of any device showing signs of battery damage.
“Understanding where potential threats exist and taking the steps needed to prevent them can go a long way toward ensuring a festive, fire-safe holiday season,” Carli said.
NFPA encourages residents to take precautions throughout the winter holidays and offers additional safety guidance at nfpa.org/winterholidaysafety.
