Holiday fire risks 2026
Christmas Day and New Year rank among the highest fire risk days of the year. Four hazards account for most of the increase: Christmas trees, electrical lights, candles, and cooking. Here is how to manage each.
Four hazard areas
Holiday-specific fire risks and how to reduce them
Christmas trees
High risk when dry- Water a fresh tree daily — a dry tree ignites in seconds
- Keep at least 1 m (3 ft) from any heat source
- Remove the tree when needles drop heavily
- Never attach candles to a real or artificial tree
Lights and electrical
Check before use- Switch off all lights before bed or leaving the house
- Check leads for fraying and bulbs for cracks
- Do not daisy-chain multiple extension leads
- Buy lights with approved safety marks (CE/UKCA/UL)
Candles and decoration
Open flame risk- Keep 30 cm clear around any burning candle
- Never leave candles unattended or in bedrooms
- Keep candles away from dried wreaths and paper decorations
- Consider LED alternatives for unattended ambient lighting
Cooking
Peak day: Christmas- Never leave hob cooking unattended
- Keep a fire blanket accessible in the kitchen
- Avoid using water on any fat or oil fire
- Check the oven is off before going to bed
Why the festive period carries higher risk
The combination of factors is unique to the holiday period: dried real trees and paper decorations raise the fuel load in living spaces. Additional electrical devices are plugged in simultaneously. Candles are used for decoration in rooms that are normally candle-free. Cooking is more complex and more prolonged than on a typical day. And social gatherings mean people are distracted, alcohol may be present, and unfamiliar guests may not know the house layout for escape.
The 30-second dry tree test
A dry Christmas tree can go from ignition to fully involved in under 30 seconds — far faster than most people expect. NFPA video demonstrations of this are widely available and make clear why dryness is the critical variable. The test: pull a branch between two fingers — if a handful of needles comes off easily, the tree is dry and should be removed immediately. A fresh, well-watered tree resists ignition far more effectively.
Dec 25
The peak day for home candle fires and cooking fires in the US. Christmas Eve and New Year's Day are close behind. Source: NFPA.
Before you go to bed on Christmas Eve
Run through this five-point check before sleeping: (1) all candles extinguished; (2) all Christmas lights switched off at the wall; (3) the oven and hob are off; (4) the Christmas tree is away from the fireplace or radiator; (5) smoke alarms have been tested recently. For a complete home escape plan — including two ways out — see our escape planning guide.
Sources: NFPA Christmas Trees · NFPA Candles · Electrical Safety First
Holiday fire FAQ
Questions about festive season fire risks
A dry real Christmas tree is a significant fire risk. NFPA research shows that real tree fires cause an average of 2 deaths, 12 injuries, and $16 million in property damage per year in the US. The risk is closely related to dryness — a well-watered fresh tree is much harder to ignite than a dry one. Key precautions: water the tree daily, keep it at least 1 metre (3 ft) from any heat source, and take it down once it begins to drop needles heavily. Artificial trees do not carry the same risk, though the electrical aspects remain the same.
No. Switch off all Christmas lights, indoor and outdoor, before going to bed and before leaving the house. The Electrical Safety First seasonal guidance recommends against leaving lights running unattended. Older or damaged light strings carry higher risk — check for frayed leads, broken bulbs, and warm plugs. Ensure all lights carry a current approved safety mark (CE, UKCA, or UL). Battery-operated lights are a lower-risk option for unattended display.
Christmas Day is consistently the peak day for cooking fires in both the US and UK. Contributing factors include: more people in the kitchen simultaneously, unfamiliar recipes and equipment, distraction from guests and alcohol, cooking for longer periods (extended roasting times), and deep-fat turkey fryers — which are responsible for a disproportionate number of serious fires in the US. The core prevention is the same as any cooking fire: never leave cooking unattended and keep combustibles clear of the hob. See our kitchen fire prevention guide.
Consumer fireworks carry significant fire and injury risk when used without training. In the UK, only Category F1 fireworks (indoor/garden party) and Category F2 (garden fireworks) may be used by the public — Category F3 and above require professional handling. In the US, firework legality varies by state. The NFPA recommends attending professional displays rather than using consumer fireworks at home. If using legal consumer fireworks: read instructions fully, have a bucket of water available, never relight duds, and keep spectators at the manufacturer-specified distance.