Health and Safety

Don't Light it Up This Holiday Season

Winter brings shorter days, colder weather, and a lot more time spent indoors. Candles, fireplaces, and space heaters make homes feel warm and festive, but they’re also some of the most common sources of seasonal fire hazards. If you’re traveling, hosting, or closing out year-end work, a few small habits can go a long way toward keeping your home and family safe.

Jenny Bradford

Corporate Health and Safety Manager

jennifer.bradford@respec.com

Candles

Candles add atmosphere, but they also top the list of preventable holiday fires. To keep their flames contained:

Keep them at least 12 inches away from anything flammable.
Don’t use candles in bedrooms—especially if you might fall asleep.
Never leave a child or pet alone in a room with a lit candle.
Blow out candles every time you leave the room.

Fireplaces

Before lighting that first fire of the season:

Make sure the damper is open and the chimney is clean.
Don’t close the damper until all ashes are fully cooled.
Keep the screen closed while the fireplace is lit.
Put the fire out before going to bed or leaving the house.
Keep any flammable décor—stockings, garland, wrapped gifts—well away from flames.

Space Heaters

Space heaters are convenient… and also one of the leading causes of winter house fires.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, heating equipment causes an average of 52,050 house fires per year, resulting in 490 deaths, 1,400 injuries, and more than $1 billion in property damage.

To reduce risk:

Keep heaters clear of anything combustible (check your manufacturer’s guidance).
Turn heaters off whenever you leave the area.
Never place anything on top of—or touching—the unit.
Use only UL-listed or FM-approved heaters.
Make sure the unit has a tip-over automatic shutoff and a thermostat that stops heating once the set temperature is reached.
Monitor heaters anytime they’re in use.

Be Prepared

No matter how careful you are, preparation matters. To ensure preparedness:

Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors monthly.
Replace batteries when needed.
Make a simple family evacuation plan and review it during the holidays.