Essential Family Fire Safety for Holidays
The winter holiday season brings joy, decorations, and family gatherings in the Matawan, New Jersey area—but it also comes with unique fire risks. Christmas lights, candles, and festive cooking add warmth, yet they can also create fire hazards, especially with children in the home.
At PuroClean of Matawan, we care about your family’s safety while you celebrate. That’s why we’ve created 12 Days of Christmas Fire Safety for Kids. Each tip is simple, practical, and easy to discuss with children.
From checking smoke alarms to safe decorating and fire escape planning, these reminders can help keep your home safe and your holidays bright. Gather the family, and make these fire safety tips part of your holiday traditions!
Why Christmas Fire Safety is Important
In Matawan and Monmouth County, fire safety is especially critical during the winter holidays, as local fire departments respond to many holiday-related incidents each year. Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day are peak times for home fires, with cooking, candles, and decorations being top causes. Be proactive this season to prevent emergencies and help keep our community safe.
According to information reported by fire departments around the nation, the number of house fires increases during the holidays, particularly those originating from Christmas trees and decorations.
- Christmas Day: Fires from cooking, lit wax candles, and holiday decorations are common. Candle fires are 2.5 times more likely on Christmas Day than on average.
- Christmas Eve: This day has similar risks to Christmas Day, with added danger from holiday lights and Christmas trees.
By helping children understand fire risks and empowering them with simple fire-safety actions, you’re making the season safer for everyone. Fire-smart Kids who know how to respond in an emergency can prevent accidents, stay calm, and even help others if needed.
You might like: Thanksgiving Kitchen Fire Safety – Tips for All Year
12 Days of Christmas Fire Safety Tips
Day 1: Introduce a Safe Holiday Season Mindset
To kick off your family’s season of safety, start by talking to your kids about fire prevention basics. Explain that fires can be dangerous, and throughout the next 12 days you will help them learn to be safer and teach them what to do in case of a fire.
Check Your Smoke Alarms Together
Make your introduction hands-on by checking your smoke alarms together. Show your kids how to test each alarm, and let them hear the sound it makes so they know what to expect in an emergency.
Day 2: Create a Family Fire Escape Plan
As a family, create a fire escape plan. Let everyone learn two ways out of each room and the house. Turn your fire plan into an adventure. Walk your children through the plan and practice escaping through different exits. Use markers to draw a map of your home with labeled escape routes, and let them decorate it. Hang it on the fridge as a reminder.
Play “Stop, Drop, and Roll”
Make learning fun. Practice doing “Stop, Drop, and Roll” with your kids. You can even make it a race to see who can do it correctly the fastest. This simple drill helps them remember what to do if their clothing catches fire.
Day 3: Christmas Trees – Selection and Set Up
Selecting and setting up a Christmas tree together can be a joyful tradition, but home Christmas tree fires are common. Select your Christmas tree carefully. Use this opportunity to help your kids understand that trees need to be kept safe too.
- Real Trees
Real Christmas trees can be a fire risk, especially if they dry out. When choosing one, look for fresh, green needles that are hard to pull off. - Live Christmas Trees
If using a live tree in a pot, water it regularly and place it in a cool area. Live trees stay fresh longer but should still be kept away from heat sources to prevent drying out. - Artificial Trees
For an artificial tree, check for a “fire-resistant” label. Although these trees are generally safer, they can still ignite if near heat. Position your tree well away from fireplaces, heaters, and candles. - Safe Tree Location
Pay attention to where you put your tree. Keep it at least three feet away from all heat sources—fireplaces, heaters, radiators, candles, and heat vents. Position it securely to prevent tipping, especially with young children or pets around. Also, make sure it doesn’t block walkways or exits to ensure easy movement through your home.
Day 4: Essential Christmas Tree Safety Tips
Christmas tree safety doesn’t stop after setup. Taking care of the Christmas tree is key to reducing holiday season fire risks.
- Safe Disposal
As Christmas trees dry out, they become more flammable. In fact, more than one-third of Christmas tree fires occur in January. Dispose of your tree after the holidays or when it dries out to avoid fire risk. Check with your local waste services for safe disposal options. - Use Cool, LED Indoor Lights
When decorating your tree together, choose LED lights labeled for indoor use. LED electric lights stay cool, which helps keep real trees from drying out as quickly. Avoid using outdoor lights on your tree, as they can generate more heat and increase fire risks. - Water Your Tree Daily
If you have a real tree (cut or live), water it every day. A well-watered tree stays fresh longer and is less likely to catch fire. Dry needles and branches ignite more quickly, so keeping your tree healthy is essential.
Day 5: Holiday Lighting and Electrical Safety
Holiday lights add magic to your home, but they can be a fire hazard if not used properly. Nearly one out of three Christmas tree fires are caused by electrical issues, so practicing safe lighting habits is key.
- Light Safely
When stringing lights, avoid overloading electrical outlets and keep lights away from heat sources. Follow the instructions that come with the lights to know how many strands you can connect. If you need more lights than can be connected, plug the extra strands into a power strip to safely distribute the electrical load. - Check for Damage
Inspect light strings before you put them up. Make sure cords are in good condition. Look for frayed cords. Throw out light strands with frayed or crimped cords. Damaged lights can cause sparks and increase fire risks. - Unplug Before Bed
Remember to unplug all holiday lights before leaving the house or going to sleep. This simple habit reduces the risk of electrical fires and helps keep your home safe through the night.
You can involve your young ones by giving them responsibility for a safety task, like reminding you to unplug the light before bed or leaving the house.
Day 6: Extension Cord Safety
Extension cords are handy during the holiday season, but they can also be dangerous if not used carefully.
- Avoid Tripping and Fraying Hazards
Never run extension cords under rugs or across walkways. Cords under rugs can overheat, and they’re more likely to get damaged or fray over time. Keeping cords out of walkways also prevents tripping accidents. - Prevent Overloaded Electrical Outlets
Avoid overloading any one outlet with too many plugs. If you plug too many devices into an outlet can overheat it and start a fire. - Don’t Daisy Chain Cords
Connecting—or “daisy-chaining”—multiple extension cords together may seem like a quick solution, but it’s unsafe. Instead, use a single, long extension cord or rearrange your decorations to avoid needing extra cords.
Read more about Extension Cord Safety.
Day 7: Candles and Holiday Decorations
Wax candles bring warmth and beauty to the holidays, but they’re also a common fire hazard this time of year. Candle-related decoration fires increase greatly in December, so use them safely!
- Consider Battery-Powered Candles
For a safer alternative, try battery-powered candles. Newer types create a cozy, flickering glow without any fire risk. - Keep Flammable Items Away
Always keep flammable items—like decorations, curtains, and paper—at least 3 feet away from candles. Place candles on non-flammable surfaces like ceramic or metal holders to prevent accidental fires. - Never Use Candles if Oxygen is Used in the Home.
Avoid using candles altogether if there’s an oxygen tank in your home. Oxygen makes fires spread much faster, even from a tiny spark. - Never Leave Candles Unattended
Blow out your candles before leaving the room or going to bed. Never leave a lit candle unattended, even for a moment. - Supervise Kids and Candles
Never leave a child alone in a room with a burning candle. Also, keep matches and lighters up high and out of children’s reach.
Make your holiday good night specials. Add blowing out (or turning off) candles as part of your nightly ritual.
Day 8: Cooking Safety
The holiday season brings delicious smells and family fun in the kitchen, but cooking safely is key to enjoying it all without accidents. Avoid kitchen fires with a few simple steps. Keep the kitchen safe for the whole family while making special holiday treats.
- Create a “Child-Free Zone”
Set up a “child-free zone” of at least 3 feet around the stove and oven. Explain to kids that this area is only for grown-ups when people are cooking. This keeps everyone safe from hot surfaces and spills. - Turn Pot Handles Inward
Always turn pot handles inward to avoid bumps and spills. This helps prevent accidents, from burns to fires, by keeping hot cookware out of reach and safely out of the way. - Clean Up Greasy Spills
Grease buildup can start fires, so wiping up spills as you go is important. This makes cleanup quicker, too! - Follow Safety Guidelines: For added peace of mind, check out the National Fire Protection Association’s guidelines for safe cooking practices.
Let your children play a helpful role before you start cooking by having them spot any towels, utensils, or other fire hazards too close to the stove or oven. Make it a game to find these “sneaky items” and move them to safer spots.
Day 9: Fireplace Fire Prevention and Preparedness
A cozy fireplace is wonderful during the holidays, but it’s important to stay fire-smart when using it.
- Fully Extinguish Embers
Before going to bed, make sure all embers are completely out. Even small embers can spark overnight, so it’s essential to check that everything is fully extinguished. - Keep Fuel Away from the Fire
Keep anything flammable—like wrapping paper, rugs, and clothing—at least three feet from the fireplace. This keeps stray sparks from catching nearby items on fire. - Use a Fire Screen
Always use a fire screen to prevent embers and logs from popping out onto your floor. Screens add an extra layer of protection, especially with kids and pets around. - Have Fire Extinguishing Supplies Ready
Keep a fire extinguisher or a bucket of water in the area, just in case. Being prepared makes it easy to put out small fires before they spread.
While gathering by the fireplace, make it a family habit to check for items too close to the flames.
Day 10: Space Heaters – Stay Safe While Staying Warm
Space heaters can keep your home cozy but they are potential fire risks. Using them safely is essential to prevent fires. Again, you can have your kids watch for and move things that are too close to the heat.
- Use Heaters with Automatic Shut-Offs
Choose heaters with an automatic shut-off feature. This safety setting turns the heater off if it tips over or overheats, helping to prevent accidents. - Proper Placement
Place heaters on stable, non-flammable surfaces, like hardwood floors, and avoid using them on rugs or carpets. Keep them away from anything flammable, like wrapping paper, curtains or furniture, and make sure they’re out of reach of young children and pets who might accidentally knock them over. - Follow the Manufacturer’s Instructions
Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for safe use. Proper setup and maintenance can make a big difference in keeping your heater safe.
Day 11: Outside Lights and Electrical Decorations
Decorating outside adds festive cheer, but safely setting up outdoor lights and decorations is essential.
- Use Outdoor Christmas Lights and Electrical Decorations
Only use lights and decorations labeled for outdoor use. These are built to handle moisture and temperature changes, making them safer and more reliable outdoors. - Check for Frayed or Damaged Wires
Before decorating, check your light strands and cords for any signs of wear, fraying, or damage. Discard damaged items, as they can spark or short-circuit, causing fires. - Secure Lights Safely
Use insulated clips to secure lights to trees, your home, or other sturdy surfaces. Avoid nails or staples, which can damage the cords and create a fire hazard. - Be Cautious with Metal Ladders
When hanging lights, avoid using metal ladders, which conduct electricity and increase the risk of shock. Opt for a wooden or fiberglass ladder. Make sure it’s on stable, level ground. - Plug into GFCI Outlets
Always plug outdoor Christmas lights into ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCI) outlets to reduce the risk of electrical shock. If your exterior outlets aren’t GFCI, use a portable GFCI adapter for safety. - Keep Cords and Connections Dry
Make sure all plugs and connections are kept dry and elevated off the ground. Use waterproof extension cords rated for outdoor use, and secure connections with weatherproof covers if available.
Let your children be “Light Safety Helpers.” Show them how to check that cords are secure and away from water or puddles. Explain why it’s important to use clips instead of sharp objects like nails or staples to hold lights in place. They can even help hand you insulated clips or point out any areas where lights might need extra support.
Day 12: Holiday Fire Safety Tip for Pets
Help the whole family, including pets, stay safe from holiday fire risks with these easy steps.
- Secure Decorations and Cords
Pets may chew cords or knock over decorations, creating fire hazards. Tuck cords away and keep fragile items out of reach. - Avoid Open Flames
Place candles and other flames out of pets’ reach. Use a fire screen around fireplaces for extra safety. Never leave your pet alone in a room with an open flame (like a candle). - Keep Pets Out of the Kitchen
The kitchen can be a dangerous place with hot surfaces, open flames, and tempting food. Set a boundary to keep pets out while you’re cooking. - Include Pets in Your Fire Escape Plan
Plan how to bring pets with you in an emergency safely. Knowing where they tend to hide can save precious time.
For more, see these Top 10 Holiday Safety Tips from the Borough of Matawan, NJ.
Celebrate Safely This Holiday Season
At PuroClean of Matawan, we’re here to support a safe, joyful holiday for everyone. Make fire safety a Matawan-area family tradition, and consider sharing these fire prevention tips with loved ones to help keep our community safe and informed. With simple precautions and a little preparation, you can focus on enjoying the joy and warmth of the season, knowing you’ve taken steps to protect what matters most.
Happy holidays from all of us at PuroClean of Matawan!
Sources:
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA): Holiday Fire Safety Tips
NFPA: December as the Leading Month for U.S. Home Fires
US Fire Administration/FEMA: Holiday Fire Safety
Cover Photo by Thandy Yung on Unsplash
