Christmas Day is a Busy Day for Home Fires

More home fires happen on Dec. 25 than any other single day except Thanksgiving. Fire officials are urging people to make fire safety part of their celebrations this holiday season. “Start by making sure you have working smoke and carbon monoxide alarms,” said State Fire Marshal Stephen D. Coan. “Fires are always terrible, but they seem worse during the festive holiday season,” said State Fire Marshal Coan.

Cooking is the Leading Cause

Coan said, “ Cooking is the leading cause of fires in the home and the holiday season is no exception. It is important to remember two key things, he says: Stand by Your Panto prevent cooking fires and to Put a Lid on It if one does occur.” Leaving cooking unattended, even for a minute, is the leading cause of fires,” said Coan, “Cooking is the leading cause of home fires throughout the year, and caused two-thirds of all the residential fires last holiday season.” When baking use a timer, and stay nearby.

Heating is the Second Leading Cause of Holiday Season Fires

Heating is the second leading cause of home fires during the holiday season. “ Keep warm and keep safe by having the furnace and chimney checked by professionals, and when heating with wood, dispose of the ashes in a lidded metal ashcan outside the home.” A single ember can stay hot undetected for days. No one can forget the Christmas 2011 fire in Stamford, CT that killed three young girls and their grandparents. It was started when seemingly cold fireplace ashes were placed inside a paper bag.

Burn Candles Inside 1-Foot Circle of Safety

State Fire Marshal Coan said, “Many of the holidays celebrated at this time of year usecandles. Sadly, the increased candle use at this time of year causes a boost in candle fires.” Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve are among the December days when the most candle fires occur.

On New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, 2013, at 1:58 p.m., the Sutton Fire Department was called to a candle fire in a two-family home. The candle ignited a mattress in a second floor bedroom. No one was injured at this fire. There were no sprinkler and damages from this fire were estimated to be $30,000.

Christmas Tree Safety Tips

Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur, they are more likely to be serious. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, one of every three home Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical problems and a heat source too close to the tree caused roughly one in every six. There were two Christmas tree fires in Massachusetts last year.

On Dec. 30, 2013, at 12:12 p.m., the Boston Fire Department was called to a Christmas tree fire in a 12-unit apartment building. The gas stove ignited the tree in a second floor kitchen No one was injured at this fire. Detectors were present and alerted the occupants. The home was not sprinklered and damages from this fire were estimated to be $280,000.

For more information on fire safety, contact your local fire department or the Office of the State Fire Marshal at 1-877-9 NO FIRE or on-line at www.state.ma.us/dfs and look for Fire Safety Topics.